A/N: This is one of those chapters I don't feel is very good. I'm not sure why, but I just have that feeling of...ugh. It happens every now and then while I'm writing. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
••••••••••••••••••

It was a few days after their return from the Crystalline Dominion. Lyra had been teaching Clive to read the language of the gods by using Mimir's chronicle. She would write certain symbols down on paper and have him decipher them as an exercise. Whenever he finished, he would give the piece of paper to her so she could check. She was currently checking the latest sentence he translated.

Clive was growing nervous when she didn't say anything right away. "Is something wrong?"

Lyra turned around to reveal her proud smile. "Not at all. In fact, you deciphered it perfectly. It's only been a few days yet you're excelling. I must confess, I am quite impressed."

"A student is only as good as their teacher," Clive replied.

"Truth be told, you're an excellent student. Now I see why my father enjoyed training you."

This took him by surprise. "He...did?"

She laughed at his shocked expression. "He did, indeed. He would tell me how wonderful it was to train you. You always gave it your all, even when you were exhausted. He knew from the beginning you would be a wonderful Shield because of your dedication to training."

Clive lowered his gaze, eyes falling to his desk. "I owe much to Lord Murdoch, and to you."

She walked over and stood on the other side of the desk. "I owe you much as well, Clive, and that list only seems to keep getting longer. I couldn't have done anything without you and so many others."

His eyes locked with hers. "Even after all these years, I still find it astounding our paths crossed. The world is vast and yet I was blessed to be the one by your side."

She smiled. "Perhaps losing my memories was a good thing. Though I had to lose them to realize my mistakes, it has been wonderful to make new ones. It is strange how the stars weaved our fates together."

"Fate..." Clive mumbled the word. "Do you believe it can be altered?"

"I do because I have witnessed it with my own eyes," she answered honestly. "Remember when we spoke about my capture at Rosalith? That was changing the tides of fate. If one knows the outcome, one can change it. However, it is extremely difficult. All pieces have to fall in perfect sync for an altercation of events. Seeing as the fate of gods isn't written in the stars, it is gods who can easily overwrite fate."

"Gods defy fate," he said. "Which means...you can alter it as you see fit."

Lyra laughed lightly. "If the Moirai heard you say that, they would be quite angry."

His brows furrowed together. "The Moirai?"

"The three godly sisters of fate. There are many gods I haven't told you about, but I know for certain you will learn much more about them as Mimir's chronicle contains a vast amount of information regarding them. Seeing how quickly you are learning the language of the gods, I wouldn't be surprised if you could read his entire book by yourself before the year is up."

Clive chuckled. "Seeing how thick the chronicle is, reading it all would require my undivided attention for months. But first, I must comprehend all aspects of the language of the gods."

"You're doing well so far. Keep it up."

Lyra continued her lesson for a couple of more hours before deciding it would be best to stop for today. She infused her magic into Mimir's chronicle and dispelled it. "That is all for now. Well done, Clive."

"Thank you, Lyra," he said. "I truly do appreciate the time you're taking to teach me."

"It has been a treat," she smiled. "Never did I imagine I would be teaching the new Cid the language of the gods, and you are doing much better than the old Cid. Don't tell Mid that, though."

"I won't." Clive stood up and walked to the other side of the desk. He placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "I'm going to speak to Otto."

She nodded. "All right. I need to speak with Blackthorne. If you need me, I shall be at the smithy."

The couple left their room and went their separate ways.

Lyra arrived at the Black Hammer and greeted Blackthorne. Ever since she arrived back at the hideaway from the Crystalline Dominion, she would come to the blacksmith whenever she wasn't teaching Clive. She had been working on a gift for Clive, Jill, and Joshua in secret in hopes of being able to surprise them later. "How do the swords look?"

Blackthorne pulled out three blades. "In my honest opinion, bloody fantastic. I can't believe this is the work of the gods..."

"I may not be Brokkr with his mighty hammer and forge, but it's amazing what you can learn from a war god."

"The god of the forge. A damn shame we can't meet..."

Lyra gazed at the three swords. "Do you believe they are complete?"

"More than complete. They could probably cleave a ship in half," Blackthorne said. "Take 'em."

She took the swords. Like with Mimir's chronicle, she infused them with magic and dispelled them to make them easier to carry. "Thank you for your guidance, Blackthorne."

"I barely lifted a finger," the blacksmith replied. "Ya did good, my lady. I think those three will be satisfied with those fine blades."

"I do hope they are to their liking."

Leaving the Black Hammer, she walked outside of the airship. She was wondering if she should visit the backyard to see if Nigel needed any help but her attention was pulled to the tainted sky when she thought about the current state of the world.

"There you are."

Lyra looked away from the sky and saw Clive. "Finished speaking with Otto?"

"And Vivian and Harpocrates," Clive explained.

"One conversation led to another," she said before noticing the troubled look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Harpocrates and I spoke of gods and Ultima," he replied. "You refer to it, or "him," as a false god. Why is that?"

With the absorption of the shards from Drake's Tail, Lyra's memory was crisper than ever. She could recall many of what memories she had lost. "Ultima is not a being of this world nor the heavens. He is a powerful creature beyond this star and much more. Millennias ago, he appeared from the darkness of the cosmos and...well, you know the rest. As to why he came to this world and claimed it for himself, I'm afraid I do not have those answers. However, I do know he has been manipulating this world for far too long."

Clive crossed his arms in thought. "A creature from the unknown parading around as if he were a mighty god... Now I understand why you refer to him as a false god. If he hadn't slaughtered the gods, there would be a storm of true deities pursuing him."

"I have learned much through my various lives. I walked among the Fallen, saw their demise, and witnessed my own death numerous times. All those lives and yet my knowledge of Ultima is scarce..." She sighed sorrowfully, turning her head away from him. "Killed by this false god over and over again..."

Clive placed a hand on her cheek and turned her head to look at him. "You are a threat to him, one he knows he can't allow to roam the realm. You must be doing something right if he sees you as such."

"Maybe..." She mumbled. "If I could have talked with Indra longer, I could have figured out much more. Something about his involvement with Ultima isn't quite adding up."

Just then, the couple was interrupted by Otto and Jill. While Clive went to speak with both of them, Lyra went to speak with Tomes. Now that some time had passed, she wanted to ask him if he had heard about the statue Owen mentioned.

Entering the shelves, she walked over to the elderly man with a smile. "Good day, Tomes."

"Ah, my lady! Clive was here only a few moments ago. What can I do for you?" Tomes asked.

"It has been brought to my attention that the empire recently uncovered a Fallen statue, one that resembles a...certain, well..."

He chuckled. "Deity. Yes. I received word of its discovery only a couple of days ago. I must say, I am shocked to hear a Fallen statue resembling you has been discovered. Though, I mustn't be too surprised as the Fallen revered you as their divine one. With the empire in disarray, it seems the statue has been abandoned."

"You wouldn't happen to know where exactly this statue is located, would you?" she inquired.

"Why, I do. It is located in an area known as the Crock in the Holy Empire. The statue was moved there after having been discovered not too far from the Dragon's Aery."

"Thank you, Tomes."

"Will you be setting off to see this statue?"

"Yes. But first, I must inform Clive. Once again, thank you, my friend."

"Farewell, Lyra. Please be safe on your journey."

She smiled at him. "I shall."

Leaving the shelves, she was immediately spotted by Clive and Jill. They walked up to her as she exited the shelves where she got a better look at their worried expressions. "Did something happen?"

"Akashic are running rampant," Jill said. "The people of Dalimil, Martha's Rest, and Northreach need our help."

"I see... The aetherfloods are consuming more as we speak," she replied. Thinking about what she could do, an idea popped into her mind. "I shall meet you at Martha's Rest. There is something I must do beforehand."

"What's that?" Clive asked.

She smirked. "It's a surprise. I'll rendevous with you both as soon as possible. Until then, be safe."

"You as well," Jill replied.

Lyra dashed out of the airship and turned into a hawk. She flew to the nearest location she knew where she could find Fallen machines.

|| Greensheaves ||
|| Central Rosaria ||

She located a large group of them in the Greensheaves not too far from Martha's Rest. The machines aimed at her when she reverted, but none of them attacked. She smiled, grateful the Fallen had programmed them with her in mind. She got to work reprogramming them.

It took her a few hours longer than she had anticipated since the larger machines were more complex. She sighed in relief once all of them were reprogrammed. Her eyes scanned the machines as they gathered around her. "Let's hope Clive and Jill have arrived. Follow me."

With the Fallen machines following her from behind, Lyra led them through the greensheaves. To her surprise, the machines didn't struggle at all to keep up. They obeyed her commands and were functioning properly. Even when they came across a few stray Akashic, the Fallen machines attacked in perfect unison.

When they drew closer to the bridge leading into Martha's Rest, Lyra was horrified at spotting a large horde of Akashic. "By the Heavens... There are so many..." She couldn't let them enter the village and placed her fingers in her mouth, whistling as loud as she could to grab the Akashic's attention. She was more than thrilled when all of the corrupted monsters turned and spotted her. Smirking, she watched them run toward her. "Time for a little cleanup. Come to me, Theia."

Her eyes burned emerald, and green veins spread across her body. In the blink of an eye, her body took the shape of Theia, one of the Guardian Beasts of the four winds.

Channeling the power of nature, Lyra created roots that pierced through the ground and impaled various Akashic. The Fallen echoes followed her into battle and fought alongside her. The large horde of Akashic didn't stand a chance and was wiped out within minutes. The Fallen machines withdrew their weapons and relaxed.

Lyra glanced around at the bodies of the Akashic as they slowly crumbled. She then checked on the machines before her burning gaze was turned to the bridge. She saw Clive, Jill, Torgal, and surprisingly Wade making their way over to her. "Ah, Sir Wade. It's good to see you again."

Wade stared in awe at the dragon whose body was made of twisted wood and whose wings were formed of greenery. "Is that truly you, Lady Edelweiss?"

"Yes," she replied and stepped aside to reveal the Fallen echoes. "I have brought some of the Fallen machines in hope they would help in the protection of the Rest."

"So this was the surprise you mentioned," Clive said.

"From their idleness, you successfully reprogrammed them," Jill commented. "I believe this will work."

"I agree," he responded. He met the goddess' gaze. "Will you position them around the Rest?"

"Yes. I shall divide and situate them accordingly. Once I'm done, I will meet you in front of the inn," Lyra said.

"All right."

She got to work dividing up the Fallen machines and flying them to the three main entrances to Martha's Rest. She ensured they understood their job before reverting and heading to the Golden Stable. She found her companions outside of the inn.

When she saw the other person who was with them, she blinked in surprise. It was a young man who resembled her father. There was only one person who came to mind who could possibly still be alive. "Oscar?"

The young man heard his name and looked toward her. His shock showed on his face. "Lyra?" He rushed over to her. "I-I thought you were dead. Thank the Founder you're all right, Cousin."

"What brings you to Martha's Rest?" she asked.

"Well..." Oscar glanced over at Clive. "The lord marquess has accepted me as his squire. I hope to learn the duties of a Shield from him."

"Truly? I am...a little surprised he agreed. Nonetheless, I am happy for you, Oscar. You will be joining us at the hideaway, then?"

He nodded. "Yes. I know we weren't close while growing up because of our age difference, but I do hope we can come together as a family again."

"I..." Lyra was hesitant to agree. Neither Rodney nor Hanna knew who she truly was, but she had a feeling they wouldn't have cared. She sensed Oscar would feel just as they would have if they had known the truth. "Would love that."

Oscar smiled at her. "Then I shall see you when you return. Be safe, Cousin."

Oscar was escorted out of Martha's Rest by a couple of Cursebreakers so he could safely make it to the hideaway.

Lyra joined Clive, Jill, and Wade. "I hear Clive has acquired a squire. My cousin, nonetheless."

Clive crossed his arms and looked over at her. "I wasn't aware you had a cousin. Neither was I aware the Lord Commander had a brother."

"My father was close to his brother, but they rarely visited each other because their duties made it difficult. I can count the number of times I met my uncle and cousin on a single hand," she explained. "Regardless, he is family. Thank you for taking Oscar under your wing, Clive."

"Of course," he replied.

"I wonder how he will react once he learns the truth of who you are," Jill said.

"That...will be interesting, to say the least," Lyra stated. "Since the entire hideaway knows, it won't be long before he does."

Wade had been listening and was confused. "I'm afraid I'm not aware of what you speak of."

Jill looked at the former Shield. "Perhaps it would be best if you sat down, Sir Wade."

The three childhood friends told Wade the truth about the goddess that walked among them. They also explained Indra, the man who appeared in the Lazarus District.

The information was overwhelming and Wade was glad he was sitting on a box. "By the Flames... Gods walk among us..." He stared at the blonde. "And you are one of them..."

"I do hope your perception of me hasn't changed," Lyra said.

Wade shook his head with a smile. "Not at all, my lady. Though you are not blood-related, I will always see you as Lord Murdoch's daughter and the child whom I aided in training. Speaking from the heart, it was an honor being chosen by the Lord Commander himself to train you. I know Tyler would also agree if he were here."

"Thank you, Sir Wade," she smiled back. "Not only for helping me, but for helping so many others as well."

"As a Guardian of the Flame, I shall continue protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Lyra then turned to Clive and Jill. "You both are off to Dalimil next, correct?"

"Yes," Jill said. "Will you gather more echoes?"

She nodded. "I will. I should be able to find some and bring them back to Dalimil by the time you and Clive have dealt with the Akashic."

"We'll depart as soon as possible."

"And I'll be departing immediately to search for some more echoes. I shall see you both in Dalimil."

. · : · . ✧ • ✦ • ✧ . · : · .

After some time, the Akashic threatening the Dalimil and Northreach were successfully dealt with and Fallen echoes had been successfully reprogrammed to act as guards for the settlements.

Once checking in with Isabelle, the party was ready to depart from Northreach so they could return to the hideaway. However, Lyra stopped them.

"A moment, please," she said.

Clive and Jill turned to her.

"What's wrong?" Clive asked.

"I spoke to Tomes before I left the hideaway, and he was able to tell me the Fallen statue was moved to the crock before being abandoned by the empire due to the events at Twinside," she explained.

Jill's brows furrowed in bewilderment. "What is this statue you speak of?"

Lyra told her about the recently unearthed Fallen statue discovered in the Holy Empire and how she had learned about it from Owen, the traveling artist.

After the explanation, Jill was more than interested in seeing this statue and they departed from Northreach. They passed through the Dragon's Aery to reach the Imperial Chase, whose gates had been destroyed. They followed the path all the way to the entrance to Heavenhall until they turned down a path to their left.

Finally, they arrived at the Crock. Standing in the center was none other than the Fallen statue Owen had spoken of.

"By the flames..." Clive stared in shock and awe.

Jill looked between the statue and Lyra. "There is no denying it. This statue is a perfect recreation."

Lyra gazed at the statue. The Fallen had depicted her in her heavenly dress with her palms cupped underneath an intricately carved sphere, which she assumed was the world of Valisthea. It was beautiful craftsmanship, but she didn't feel worthy to have been enshrined by them in such a way.

Lowering her head, she turned her back to the statue. "With the current state of the empire, it would be best if this statue remained hidden. The people loyal to the church should not let their faith be wavered by an unknown statue. Second-guessing one's belief is not something I wish for the people to do at such a dark time... And if it is destroyed by those who so happen to stumble upon it, then so be it."

"Are you certain you're all right with its destruction?" Jill asked. "You fear it will shake the people's belief in Greagor, but what if you're wrong? What if this allows them to find a new hope?"

Lyra paused. She kept her back turned, unable to deny the truth Jill's words carried. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see Clive.

"I'll see to it the statue isn't destroyed," he told her.

She glanced at the statue one last time before agreeing. "All right. Let's return to the hideaway."

Leaving the crock, they started their trek back to the hideaway. When Jill and Torgal wandered ahead, Clive lagged behind and walked beside Lyra. "The statue..." He began.

"What about it?" she asked curiously.

"Though it captures your beauty, it does not compare to the true you," he confessed.

She was baffled at his sudden flattery. She smiled and playfully bumped her hip against his. "You always know how to flatter me. Thank you for your kind words, Clive. Perhaps we should contact Owen and ask if he knows a sculptor."

This puzzled Clive. "Why do we require a sculptor?"

She smirked. "Someone has to carve your handsomeness out of stone."

He chuckled at her words. "Only if the statue stands next to yours."

She laughed lightly. "Perhaps we can make special arrangements. For now, I'll provide us a quick ride back to the hideaway."

|| The Hideaway ||
|| Central Storm Deadlands ||

While Clive went to speak with Otto, Lyra and Jill headed to the infirmary to see Tarja. To their surprise, they heard from the physician Joshua was awake before she left. They were quick to check on him.

"Thank the heavens you're awake," Lyra sighed in relief. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Joshua answered.

"If you need more healing, I can provide it."

"Thank you, Lyra."

Just then, Clive entered the infirmary and joined them to check on his brother. It was then did he share with them the vision he saw after absorbing a portion of Bahamut's essence.

Joshua was the first to speak in regard to the revelation. "...So it was not Sylvestre, but Olivier who served as Ultima's puppet. And when Dion learned of this, he sought to slay the fiend." He looked over at the unconscious Dion, who lay in the other bed. "Only for his father to take the spear that would have freed him. Enough to drive a man to madness."

"Small wonder he hasn't stirred. I would be afraid to wake," Clive said.

Joshua turned back around, casting his gaze to the floor. "Had I but reached out to him sooner—warned him of the threat Ultima posed! But now both an empire and her prince lie broken..."

"Joshua," Clive began. "Lyra has told me all she can about Ultima. What do you know of this being?"

"Very little, I'm afraid...despite my best efforts. Lyra may be the only one who knows the most about him."

"There still may be something you have discovered where my memories have failed to provide me with information. Please, tell us what you know," Lyra begged.

"Eighteen years ago, as I lay buried beneath the rubble of Phoenix Gate, 'twas not Death who came for me, but another. And it was while in my rescuers' care, I first heard of Ultima. I've been chasing his shadow ever since." Joshua met his brother's gaze. "Ultima is driven by some deep, dark purpose and for whatever reason, it would seem you are crucial to his designs. He will stop at nothing to have you, even if that means toppling an empire. He has even allied with a corrupt god."

"But why me? What possible use could I be to such a creature?" Clive asked.

Joshua shook his head. "That is one of many answers that have eluded me. Yet I am certain of this: It is not mere chance. You were chosen for a reason. All Dominants carry within them the might of an Eikon. Nigh limitless power...that is at once acutely limited. I wield fire, and only fire."

"And I only ice. Eight wardens for eight elements," Jill said. "But you, Clive..."

"You are different. You are special. Your abilities begin with the flames of Ifrit...but they do not end there. The fact Ifrit can even exist goes against everything we thought we knew of Dominants. Perhaps Ultima has been waiting for one such as you—whose potential is truly...limitless."

"I've encountered that thing several times now," Clive responded. "If it—or "he," as you say—needs me, why hasn't he claimed me as he did the boy?"

"Were I to hazard a guess..." Joshua began. "I'd say the two of you are somehow incompatible. His mind not properly attuned to your body."

"His mind?" Jill asked.

"Mind, awareness, spirit call it what you wish, but I believe Ultima to be an embodiment of the concept." Joshua placed his hand against his chest.

Lyra suddenly gasped in realization. "By the Heavens..."

"What's wrong?" Clive inquired.

Lyra summoned Mimir's chronicle and flipped to the page where one of his entries began. "Mimir knew something the rest of the gods didn't, not even the Moirai. He spoke of a cataclysmic event that would consume the world. He mentioned a terraforming instrument that would raze the world and rebuild it anew. Alas, that is all he spoke of. The entry is rather vague and lacks details."

"If we assume Ultima is the being who will trigger this cataclysmic event..." Joshua started.

"Then Clive could be the instrument he needs." She looked over at the older brother. "The reason he has not claimed you, perhaps, is because you are incomplete. And if he needs your body, then his own is not intact. The form we have been seeing is a manifestation of Ultima's mind."

"It is why I struggle...and fail to contain him here inside me."

"I'm sorry—Inside you?" Clive asked, angered and baffled.

"With every setting sun, I feel my strength wane. And though the Phoenix's flames mend the prison I have made for Ultima, they do so at a cost. We must find a means to bring an end to him...before I meet my own," Joshua said calmly.

"What were you thinking?!" Jill asked, flabbergasted.

"It was that, or let him take Clive. And I've always had a soft spot for my brother."

"But that doesn't mean you should sacrifice yourself to save me!" Clive growled.

Suddenly, Joshua was overcome with a violent coughing fit. He covered his mouth as blood spilled out of his gloved hand and fell to the floor.

"Joshua!" Jill shouted worriedly.

Lyra quickly dispelled Mimir's chronicle and rushed to him. She grabbed his shoulders and kneeled in front of him. Clive and Jill were on either side of her as she provided him with some healing.

Just then, Tarja stormed into the infirmary and rushed over. "Clive! It's Gav! There's an army of Akashic at the gates of Kanver!"

Leaving Joshua in Tarja's care, Clive, Jill, and Lyra bolted to the map room to speak with Otto and Vivian.

"Well? What's the short of it?" Clive asked.

"Thought Tarja told you," Otto replied. "The capital of the Free Cities is under siege, by an army of monstrosities. The city guard are doing their best to stem the tide, but numbers ain't on their side."

"What of Lord Byron and Mid? Were they able to escape?" Jill inquired.

"No, but they're all right for now. They're hiding with Gav at Mid's ship."

"Then our mission will be to get them out of the city," Lyra said confidently, glancing between Clive and Jill.

"And we shall." Clive looked over at the chief steward. "Otto. Prepare a stolas. Tell Gav to stay exactly where he is."

"Understood." Otto rushed out of the map room.

"Vivian—what's the swiftest route to the Free Cities?"

"That sounds like a question for the map." Vivian walked over to the table and pointed at the large map. "Look here. This road, through Tabor, should provide the least trouble."

"Good," Clive replied.

Just before they were about to turn and leave, Joshua entered the map room with Tarja escorting him.

"What a coincidence. Tabor is exactly where I'm bound," Joshua explained.

Clive, Jill, and Lyra turned to the younger Rosfield.

"Joshua, bed is where you should be bound," Jill said.

"You don't think I told him the exact same thing?" Tarja remarked.

"Were Tarja not such a talented healer, I would surely have been inclined to agree," Joshua responded. "But thanks to her ministrations, I feel I may safely rejoin my attendant...who was to wait for me in Tabor if we became separated. And if my health were to go awry along the way, I believe Lyra's healing would be more than sufficient."

"My, you have quite the faith in me," Lyra said. "I do hope I do not betray that faith."

Joshua smiled at her. "You never shall, my friend."

"All right," Clive agreed to his brother being able to tag along. "We travel together."

Jill was shocked. "Clive!"

Clive turned to the silver-haired woman. "If he stays close to me, he'll be fine."

Joshua smiled. "Thank you, Brother."

"I'll look after him," he reassured Jill before leaving the map room with his brother.

Lyra patted Jill on the shoulder with a smile. "And we'll look after Clive."

She nodded. "Yes. We wouldn't want either of them getting in too much trouble. Let's go."