|| Requested By ||
Ana121201

|| Information ||
As the title states, this short story takes place after the Battle of Nysa. I labeled it as an additional scene because it can be included in the main story. This story covers Clive's POV after he and Cid meet on the battlefield and return to the hideaway.

|| Plot ||
Labeled a deserter of the imperial army due to protecting Jill, Clive follows Cid to the hideaway after the events of the Battle of Nysa. There, he learns about Lyra's involvement and becomes desperate to reunite with her.

PS—I did not proofread this chapter for any grammatical/spelling errors. So sorry in advance!

••••••••••••••

|| The Hideaway ||
|| Central Storm Deadlands ||
|| Year of the Realm - 873 ||

Standing in the middle of the hideaway, Clive watched Goatz carry Jill to the infirmary at the behest of Tarja. Once they were out of sight, he looked around to see the people of the hideaway had made their home inside Fallen ruins. At Cid's suggestion, he walked around the hideaway to get his bearings.

After he was done exploring, he headed up to Cid's solar to speak to him. When he opened the door, he looked around the room and found the man sitting at his desk with a quill in hand. Entering the solar, he closed the door behind him.

Cid continued to write down information and didn't spare Clive a glance. "Just working on a pet project of mine. Though she's not above biting the hand that feeds her." Halting his scribbling, he lifted his gaze from his writings and gestured for the man to sit on the couch.

When he didn't, Cid sighed and put the quill back in the inkwell. "All right. I was hoping we might try and solve the mystery of poor Clive Rosfield... A "Bearer" of the Sanbrequois Imperial Army sent behind enemy lines—" His gaze locked with the man standing on the other side of his desk. "...with orders to wait until it turned into a brawl, then slit the Dominant's throat in the chaos."

Clive clenched his fist tightly by his side, eyes narrowed. "I didn't know it was her. How could it be?"

Cid leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. "And so to save her neck, you slit your sergeant's, then set your sights on the hills. Conveniently forgetting how the empire deals with deserters. 'Cause with that on your chop, my friend...we both know you won't be getting far." He grabbed a chalice that was sitting on his desk and stood up, snatching up a second cup in the process. Walking up to Clive, he blew the dust off the chalices. "You've fallen a long way, Lord Rosfield."

Clive took the chalice that was offered to him with a displeased sigh.

Cid sauntered over to the couch, grabbed the bottle of wine on the table beside it, and poured some into his cup. He then sat down with a small sigh and held the bottle out toward the man. "I'll not have it said that I'm a poor host."

Clive trudged over to him and held out his cup. "What do you mean to do with her?"

Pouring the wine, he was taken aback at the question. "Do with her? Why, nothing. Her life is her own now." He put the bottle down and leaned back against the couch. "If I wanted to use her, do you think I'd be talking to you? All I want to do is help. Dominants like her. Branded like you. Of course, the realm doesn't approve—which is why we live in a cave."

He took a quick drink before continuing his explanation. "And it's also why we need help. From Branded who know one end of a sword from the other." He leaned forward with an eager glint in his eyes. "What say you, Clive? Will you join us?"

Clive remained silent. He looked down at the chalice he was carrying and saw his reflection on the surface of the wine. He stared at the distorted image of himself for a few seconds before lifting his head. "Cid, was it? I trust that you'll do right by Jill." He watched the man light a cigarette before continuing. "But until my brother is avenged, I must walk my own path."

Cid inhaled a puff and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Avenged?"

Clive cast his gaze down at the floor as he was consumed by sorrow. "My brother was murdered...by a second Dominant of Fire."

"The Phoenix's evil twin... Well, bugger me. Another rumor proven true."

Clive lifted a hand and stared at his palm. "I only stand here today because of Joshua." He clenched his hand into a tight fist. "Thirteen years I've waited for this chance. I've slept in filth, drunk from a gutter, killed more men than I can count. You're right. The empire will not suffer a deserter. This will be my best opportunity. My last."

Cid grabbed his cup and got up, walking past the man. "Which is why you should join us."

Clive watched him as he returned to his desk. "I told you, I'm not—"

Suddenly, Clive felt a familiar warmth near his chest. It puzzled him because the talisman Lyra had gifted him thirteen years ago hadn't ignited so warmly before. Wondering if something was wrong with the talisman, he pulled it out to see it burning brightly.

Cid's eyes widen in shock. "Bloody hell... You've one of those magical pieces of paper too? Did ya steal it?"

Clive was flabbergasted. His eyes widened as he felt hope bloom within him. "You know this talisman?"

"Aye," he replied, putting his cup down. "Seen plenty more of 'em. One lass has a ton of 'em and tosses them around using whatever magicks she can. Fire, water, ice...everything. You name it, she knows it. She so happens to be a member of our little cave society."

Clive was overcome with hope and determination. "This girl. Does she have golden hair and green eyes?"

Now Cid was becoming suspicious. "Perhaps, perhaps not."

Clive slid the talisman back into his armor. "It's been thirteen years since I've seen Lyra. Every day I feared I would be sent to collect her all because His Radiance desired her healing abilities. Many times that fear came true. Do you have any idea what it is like to hunt down the woman you love just so someone else could use her?"

Cid was more than amused. He laughed heartily. "So you're the mysterious sweetheart she talks about on occasion! Never did I assume her better half was you, Lord Rosfield."

Clive felt his heart flutter in excitement. "Lyra is here..."

"Well, not here here," Cid clarified. "The lass is currently visiting the lovely empire all in the name of research. That little lady of yours is a busy bee buzzing around everywhere."

Clive's brows furrowed in confusion. "Research?"

"Ever since I've known her, she's been searching for a way to revive the deadlands. She travels around the realms and collects all sorts of things. Best ask her yourself."

"Where exactly is she now?"

"Lostwing. Not to mention..." He smirked proudly. "One of my scouts sent word there's a group of Branded fugitives in the exact same village. Among them is one he believes to be a Dominant of Fire."

Clive was more than invested with this new information. "Is he certain?"

"What say we go and ask him? And, of course, find your special lady along the way."

Clive offered his chalice to him. If he could see Lyra again and locate the second Dominant of Fire, he was more than willing to do anything. However, he wasn't ready to join a man he didn't know all too well just yet. "This doesn't mean I'm joining you."

Cid took the cup and put it on his desk. "Maybe that sweetheart of yours will change your mind. Let's make ready."

|| The Greatwood ||
|| Southwestern Sanbreque ||

After some small trouble at the hideaway with recently arrived injured Bearers, Clive finally left with Cid and arrived in the Greatwood. They trekked through the thick foliage and soon encountered a swarm of bloodflies.

Cid swatted the insects that were flying near his face. "Bastard bloodflies everywhere."

"I told you we should have taken the Crystal Road," Clive stated, swatting a few flies away.

"And I told you that we're outlaws." He jumped onto a downed tree and glanced at the younger man. "You want every bounty hunter in Storm harrying us from here to the Holy Capital?" Jumping down, he continued down the path. "Besides, what's wrong with a shortcut through nature's splendor?"

"The deadlands claim more of the realm each day." Clive climbed over the downed tree. "That a place like this still exists is a miracle in itself. Bloodflies and all."

"We'll be back in imperial lands soon. You all right?" Cid asked, patting him on the arm.

Clive didn't hide his concern and spoke honestly. "I'm worried about Lyra. Sanbreque is the last place she should be considering the imperial army is after her."

Cid chuckled. "Oh, trust me. If anyone's making piles of imperial bodies, it's her. Ever seen one woman strike fear into an entire squadron of soldiers with a single look?"

"No."

"You're in for a treat then."

Hearing the foliage behind them rustle, the men turn around. From between the trees, Torgal appeared with a bark and jumped over the downed tree. Clive petted the canine.

"That there is a fine hound. Soon took to hunting, fearless as you like," Cid said.

"It's good to have you back, Torgal," Clive spoke to the animal.

Cid turned around and focused on the path before them. "Now, we don't want to be caught in the forest after nightfall."

"I suppose not."

Pressing on, the trio proceeded through the Greatwood. They fought any and all creatures that blocked their way forward and navigated through the thick woods. They had lost track of how many threats they wiped out, none of them having proven to be too difficult of an obstacle.

At one point while crossing the cliffside after defeating a dragon aevis, Cid realized Clive managed to get ahead of him at a fast pace. "Oi!" He shouted after him. When the younger man stopped and turned around, he asked, "Where's the fire?"

Clive hadn't realized he was marching ahead but he knew exactly why. His concern for Lyra was growing by the second and it was becoming unbearable. He needed to find her before something happened to her. His hands clenched tightly into fists by his sides as he looked away, deciding to not spill his emotions to Cid.

However, he didn't need to say anything because Cid could tell. He caught up to him, his arm resting against his sheathed blade. "You're worried about her. I get it. But she is a force to be reckoned with, I'll tell ya. Almost took off me bloody arm when we first met. She'll be fine."

"Even if she was the strongest being across the Twins, I would still worry about her," Clive confessed.

"You're in for quite the shocker..." Cid muttered under his breath. He then spoke loud enough for the younger man to hear. "Just try not to wander off."

Clive allowed Cid to reclaim the lead. He glanced at Torgal, who barked and wagged his tail happily. He petted the top of his head before pressing on.

Deeper into the woods, the party of three came across a large lizard known as Fafnir. They fought against the large creature before the path was cleared and they could continue.

Time seemed to blur as they trekked through the woods and fought hordes of creatures before finally getting a small break to catch their breaths every now and then. Because of how dense the foliage was, it was hard to see the sky above and keep track of time. There were a few times the shortcut Cid had promised was blocked, forcing them to reroute. Fortunately, Torgal was able to help them locate an alternate path.

Eventually, Clive and Cid were drawing closer to the outskirts of the woods. Their trek, however, was sidetracked when they took cover and spotted a royalist running away in the distance.

"A royal scout?" Clive asked, shocked.

"Someone's far from home..." Cid mumbled.

"Let's follow him."

Cid hummed in agreement and they pursued the royalist. They followed him through the woods until they came across a large clearing. The men and the wolf lowered their bodies to the ground to conceal their presence when they spotted a group of royalists in the clearing below. Bodies pressed against the ground, they peered from their perch to watch the scene unfold.

Royalists surrounded a man who was on his knees in the dirt. The woman known as Benedikta Harman approached the frightened man and kneeled down, asking him, "And?"

The horrified man lifted a shaking arm and pointed in the direction behind her, his voice shaking. "They're just down that way. All of them, Greagor's my witness."

Satisfied, Benedikta stood up. "Excellent." She stepped closer to the frightened man and stepped on his hand before kicking him. She then addressed the soldiers under her tutelage. "We move." Seeing as their business was done here, she turned to leave with her fellow royalists. She was prepared to leave the village alone until he spoke again.

"I-I don't understand...! Have I not proven loyal?" the villager asked.

With a displeased expression, Benedikta nodded to the soldiers. She turned to face the man with the intent to kill him. Just before she could answer the man's question, a clap drew her attention. She and the royalist soldiers turned to see a woman with golden locks stalking toward them.

Up above on the plateau that overlooked the clearing, Cid and Clive also stared at the woman who just appeared.

"And there's the lady of the hour," Cid mumbled with a smirk.

Clive's eyes widened in pure shock at recognizing the golden-haired woman. It was none other than his beloved—Lyra. Although it had been thirteen years, he knew it was her. He saw the necklace he gave her around her neck and felt the talisman he possessed heat up. When he saw the royalists draw their weapons, the need to protect her consumed him. He was about to jump down into the clearing below but was grabbed by Cid.

"Whoa there," Cid whispered, keeping the younger man from going anywhere. "You jump down there now, she might just take your head too. The midst of battle is not the place for tearful reunions. Worst case, she'll mistake you for an imperial soldier and kill you on the spot before she gets a look at that mug of yours."

Clive glared at the man. "You expect me to stand idly by?"

"Actually, I do. Trust me, lad. You'll only get in the way of those fancy papers of hers. Best you wait or you'll be caught up in her magicks."

Clive's eyes returned to the clearing below. He tightened his hand into a fist, his knuckles straining as he fought the urge to help her. His eyes never left the battle as multiple elements erupted from the paper talismans Lyra used. From light to wind, she used various spells to protect herself and cut through the royalists. He could feel the intensity of her magic and couldn't deny she had gotten stronger in the past thirteen years.

What surprised him the most was how well she handled herself against the large royalists by the alias of Midnight Raven. Even though he was much larger than her, he could barely land a hit because of her nimbleness. She would twist and turn her body to avoid his twin daggers before using magic to attack. In the end, she was victorious and happily aided the villager.

Cid chuckled under his breath. "Impressive as always, my lady." Seeing Benedikta had fled and all the remaining royalists were dead, he patted Clive on the back. "Time to reunite you with your sweetheart."

As Clive stood up alongside Cid, the talisman in his armor slipped out and folded into an origami phoenix. The paper bird ignited and soared around him before flying down to Lyra. He followed Cid down to the clearing with Torgal behind him.

He saw the origami phoenix had grabbed the woman's attention, which allowed him to approach without her noticing. He gazed at her back and found himself wanting to touch her. He aches to hold her in his arms again.

Clive's eyes drifted to the origami phoenix when it flew over Lyra's shoulder, causing her to turn around. He watched her eyes widen with recognition. His heart fluttered the moment his name left her lips.

"Clive..."