From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 V 𖥸

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

Lyra sighed heavily. She took a small pinch of the ashen dirt and rubbed it between her fingers. Not even her healing abilities would be able to bring back the vegetation. If she did, the aether would only be sucked out of the soil and the ashen landscape would return within hours.

Taking a few samples, she stored them in glass vials. She would take them back to the hideaway to examine it closer. She then pulled out a small notebook she carried with her and wrote down a few detailed notes about the vials and where exactly the samples are from.

"Ah, there's our lady of vitality."

Turning around, Lyra found Cid smiling at her. She smiled back. "Has the old geezer finally crawled out from behind his desk?"

He chuckled. "I'm going to assume you mean Ramuh."

"Then you'd assume wrong," she remarked. "But, you're not here to talk about Eikons or gods."

"You know me too well." Cid leaned his back against a dead tree. "The Ironbloods and the Dhalmekians are advancing, and they've got bloody Eikons at the ready."

She tilted her head in confusion. "Why does this concern me?"

"Can't this "old geezer" share some information with a friend?"

"Well..."

Cid pushed himself off the tree and patted her on the back. "I understand. No need to tell me twice."

She closed her journal with a heavy sigh. "Because of the Holy Empire, the entire world seems to know who I am."

"It's not every day a goddess walks among us mere mortals," Cid grinned.

"The hideaway is the safest place for me, but there is only so much I can do there. Speaking of..." She put her journal away. "I will be heading to Lostwing soon."

"Oh," his smirk widened. "You planning on hunting some imperials?"

She found herself smirking. "They will be a mere bonus. I've been informed by Quinten one of the Bearers who has recently been brought to Lostwing possesses a notebook detailing the Blight and current research projects in Oriflamme. It could be useful in my research."

Cid looked around at the lifeless land. "A bloody shame you can't just wiggle your fingers and bring life back to this place."

"I wish it was that easy as well, but if we do not locate the cause of the aether absorption, any aether I infuse into the soil will only be siphoned."

"Just don't go crazy over some ashy dirt."

"No promises."

Just then, she heard familiar barking. Down the path, she saw Torgal running toward her. She smiled at the canine. In the past thirteen years, he had grown big, but he was still a sweetheart. She kneeled down and was immediately licked on the cheek when he reached her. "I know, I know. I've been busy these past few days and haven't been back to the hideaway in a while, but I'm positive Charon's been taking good care of you. I would take you with me, however, you would pick up every stick that catches your eye and try to take it back with you."

Torgal whined and his ears flattened against the top of his head.

"Oh, come now! Don't be so glum. I was just about to head back."

"You're talking to a dog," Cid told her.

"Correction: I am talking to Torgal, who so happens to be the best dog and listener."