Valentine and The Dragon

Part 8: All or Nothing

  With the scarred landscape of bright brimstone and eternal darkness clashing with the world around it, even the noblest of warriors would fear entering such a domain. However on the far edge of the border, where the apex is at its weakest, our duo sits within a camp, their weapons and armor being prepared whilst a vigilant Y'shtola watches the growing bubble of energy. It appeared that our hesitant romancers were at opposing ends of the trio of tents, one sitting upon boxes, the other resting in the grass. Both were at a loss for what was about to occur, even if they'd reach the weapon in time before they succumb to the effects, however, this was now or never. 

  For now, they had time to mentally adjust to what was before them and the stakes involved, even if their team was relatively slim, if not completely barren of willing warriors to take on such a daunting adventure. The crackling flames of their campfire spewed a bright plume of smoke into the air as they all sat around it, the young man enjoying some food and drink before they decided to set out into the cover of darkness. It appeared that Y'shtola was in deep silence, her nose basically glue within the pages of her journals, studying and documenting the phenomena that were about a mile from their site. Finally, we have Ivy, her eyes glued to the rustling grass as the winds began to pick up, even flowing through her hair as the woman pondered if she was truly ready to face her ultimate demon and slay it once and for all. Once the food was finished, the journals set aside and our heroine's ears perked up to listen, the feline mage spoke up.

Y'shtola: "As you requested... though, against my better judgment, the Alliance has held off from entering the plagued lands, recalling all research teams from the borders as well."

Sarko: "Thank you Y'shtola, we must face this alone, and we might be Eorzea's only chance at a safer future."

Y'shtola: "Indeed... Once you enter, I will break camp and return to an observatory alongside Urianger."

Sarko: "I can only hope that Vidofnir truly understands the severity of the situation. Without her, this cannot work."

Y'shtola: "How so?"

Sarko: "She along with a sizable flight of the brood will bring us across the skies to the epicenter and make sure that no one interferes, even the Alliance."

Y'shtola: "You believe that she and her kin are able to perform such a feat?"

Sarko: "I trusted her the day I saved a pup from death, just like she did for me. She will fight to the last breath if need be."

Y'shtola: "I dearly hope events do not unfold like that. Nevertheless, the time is slowly approaching, I would rest, you two have the air to yourselves."

  Sarko watches as the miqo'te woman rises from the log, taking her leave quietly with journals in hand whilst in the other she grasped her staff, disappearing into the hidden folds of a tent and leaving the two alone on opposite ends, deep in silence and hesitation. The woman took her moment to rise as well, walking to the nearby edge that led to a crater-like formation with aether crystals springing from every conceivable angle known and unknown, some even floating. There she stood, her eyes closed at attempting to come to mental peace, however, such a thing was far from her reach, only causing her needless frustration more than anything. She huffed in annoyance, shaking her head and crossing her arms under her bust whilst watching the beautiful light show before her until she felt a presence beside her and a voice breaking the silence that filled the air, a voice that turned her head and struck her heart in ways she never thought possible during this troubling time.

Sarko: "We've come a long way together. The end of our journey lies before us, perhaps that may not be so but if it is the end... I will be honored to be with you and my dragonkin..."

Ivy: ~Sigh~ "Sarko, please don't say that... All this effort is to save the lives of billions if not more... A sacrifice of one will suffice..."

Sarko: "Ever since we departed from the Rising Stones... you've been distant, barely speaking... You know that I will do anything to protect you..."

Ivy: "Then you doom the world to chaos and death... Sarko... please... just let me go..."

Sarko: "I don't believe you understand that I wish to go with you... My past sins anchor me to solitude and regret, now I have the chance to right my wrongs and be at peace."

Ivy: "You have the chance at redemption... this is my destiny..."

Sarko: "Isabella... should we make it through this... I have a question to ask you..."

Ivy: "Why not ask me now?"

Sarko: "The time is not yet right..."

  Before any more words could be exchanged, the young man turned on his heels, marching back towards a clearing near their cliffside camp. From the interior of his attire, the tattoo, and the whites of his eyes, a blue and violet hue begin to glow with vibrancy, looking at the skies above. As he continued to stand there, motionless as a statue, shadows in the night's sky began to manifest in the figures of flying beasts, some even roaring out and blasting plumes of multicolored flames into the clouds until a snow-white dragon descended upon the grounds before the young man that was glowing like a light in the dark. The ground shook and a powerful blast of wind shot in every direction as Vidofnir and her brood arrived, lowering her head to the level of her human kin and speaking with elegance yet authority. 

  Back within the quiet boundaries of the camp, it appeared that Valentine was inspecting her sword, tracing a finger over its seemingly unnatural sharp edge until finally, her eyes locked upon a reflection of her distraught visage. Before the battle had even begun to decide the fate of this world and others like it, she had an internal struggle that threatened to break who she truly was. On one blade of the weapon, her face showed remorse, regret, and a sense of dread, perhaps her feelings towards her companion and the battle to come. On the opposing side, she saw a smile, an eye into the future perhaps, or the view of her peace amongst the raging storm that would be what lies ahead. However, these reflections would have to wait as a voice called out from the neighboring land, land that her companion ventured to. Her head turned to face an abundance of reptiles with towering statures and wings that unfolded to reveal their towering majesty. Ivy was stunned to even see this many beasts so coordinated but once the familiar white dragon herself appeared on the horizon with a young warrior upon her back, it was certain that this was his doing. Sarko beckoned to his comrade to join him as some of these gargantuan titans of nature took off into the skies with thunderous roars, entering the clouds above as she raced towards the female dragon. There was little time to take in the majesty of these varying creatures, instead leaping into the embrace of her comrade and onto the back of her mount, even planting a kiss on his cheek before the wings began to flap and Vidofnir took to the skies, roaring out to her brood and leading the charge into the ever-growing energy barrier.