Other Chronicle: Character Shorts

Other Chronicle: Sultana Dreaming

The following is from the POV of Troy Kurasaki, taking place during the events of A Realm Reborn.

For the past 5 years, I've always  wondered the same question.

What did he see in me?

Was it because I was willing to do anything to survive? Or maybe it was because I wasn't scared to do what others wouldn't do to get their way.

Regardless of the answer, I was here; rebounding off of the worst years of my life as a fighter and leader thanks to something that the Bull of Ala Mhigo thought was worth it. I had an "it" factor that he couldn't shake–and now, because of that, I was a captain. The Immortal Flames' Calvary Lieutenant beside some of the most well renowned men and women in the Eorzean Alliance.

No matter how long it's been, it never feels real. I'm constantly waiting to wake up from a dream that, in Raubahn Aldynn's own words, only two other people within the ranks of the Flames have deserved as much as I have. Two other people just slightly above me in rank; a Duswight Elezen and a Hrothgar. They apparently had their own new recruit coming in in the form of a woman named Ravna. Raubahn told me she could outwork anyone. Scary.

But I won't bore you with the schematics and details. This isn't about the Flames, nor is it about my rank.

This is about Nanamo Ul Namo and everything she gave me. About the pain I felt hearing of her death. About how far back it brought me to remembering the entire reason I even came to Eorzea, and how for so many years, all of it was out of my control.

It was around…10:00 PM, I'd say. I was assigned to guard the Royal Promenade for the foreseeable future,  considering that nobody else wanted to do it and nobody would be in any real danger if it wasn't. Even then, a position wasn't being filled; so I took it up on a whim and realized too late that I was guarding the Sultana herself. For the better half of the past 20 minutes, I was sweating bullets–I didn't want to embarrass myself, but I didn't want to look like I didn't know what I was doing either.

And that's when she called me into her room. She, apparently, wanted to talk to me about something, and my heart nearly dropped out of my chest when it happened. Luckily enough, it wasn't like I was getting fired; Nanamo just couldn't get something off her mind, so she needed to vent. That came after she bapped me on the head for constantly calling her "Your Grace" and "Your Radiance". Nanamo was fine. I just wasn't used to it.

"Sometimes, I wonder where I would be had I not been born with what I have. Given the chance to lead my city into a bright, prosperous future, all at such an age where most would only dream of having the opportunity…Do you believe that I deserve this, Troy?"

This was a question that held a lot of weight. Why the hell would she be asking me that? Was it because I was the only person nearby? Or did she see something in me too that led her to asking such a thing?

I got where she was comin' from, though. I knew the feeling all too well.

"I could ask you the same thing. Every decision when it comes to the Flames goes through you, right? What about me was so special that you didn't just…leave me to rot?"

Nanamo looked almost offended that I asked something like that. I didn't even know what I did wrong.

"Leave you to–Troy, do you not see yourself how we do?"

"...I never knew you saw me a certain way, Your gr–ah, Nanamo."

We both shared an awkward blink.

"The decision was not solely up to me. Sure, my own opinion comes as the first of our jurisdiction, but my ideals and wants are not meant to put others down. You were brought along because of your courage, willpower, and motivation to make a change within the world that you could not make alone. We wish to help you make that change, Troy."

I didn't know how to respond. In all honesty, I didn't really feel much of anything. I just lied my head down on the table she pulled me over to sit at, resting my chin on my forearms and trying to process her belief in me. It was all coming at me so fast, to have the blessing of the strongest person in Ul'dah be given to me personally. Why me?

Why me?

"Hmph."

She gave what sounded like an annoyed harumph and pulled me into a tight, unexpected hug. I looked like I needed one, didn't I?"

"I don't want you worrying about anything, okay? You are family now. We take care of our own."

"Y-yes, got it, Nanamo. Thank you."

After she released me, soon came the reason she actually called me in here; to give me a gift. A sword. A sword that had the word "Elysium" engraved into it, platinum plating its blade with black metal wrapping its hilt. How in the blue hell did they pull something like this off?

"Take care of it, okay? Sultana's orders."

Nanamo rose a shushing finger up to her mouth, smiling behind it. I couldn't help but chuckle in response, doing the same with a little wink added onto it. Made her blush. It was funny. Sorta cute, but more funny than anything else.

"Well, the Sultana should be dreaming right now. It's almost eleven."

I got up, bowed, and got a bow in return before taking my leave back to the Promenade. My eyes scanned the newly given sword of mine, almost lost in its color and curve until my gaze fell onto the word in its blade. Elysium. It meant hope or paradise or something like that, and now that I had thought about it, I…I had found mine, hadn't I? Amongst the Immortal Flames.

But my story wasn't done here.

I was still hurt.

Ionu…

Zaeiru…

They turned their backs on me. They left me to rot.

So with this blade, I'll find an even higher Elysium. No matter the cost.

Besides,

I have the Sultana's blessing now.

What can't I do?