From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 IX 𖥸

|| Eye of the Tempest ||
|| Eastern Sanbreque ||

Gaia flew toward the vortex and managed to infiltrate the swirling winds. Because of the dust and dirt stirred up by the winds, it was difficult to find Garuda. She dodged large pieces of debris that were flying around before searching for the Eikon. She doubted she could speak to Garuda knowing she was hellbent on destroying everything in her path.

Searching the winds Garuda was using to conceal herself, Gaia was taken by surprise when the Eikon appeared seemingly out of nowhere and was knocked from the sky. The goddess' body slammed into the ground as Garuda snickered and flew off again.

Lifting her body off the structure she fell on, Gaia got off the ground. The lower half of her body, which was only composed of white feathers and green leaves in the shape of a skirt, blew in the heavy winds. She wasn't injured from Garuda's attack, knowing she was simply being toyed with.

Instead of looking for Garuda, Gaia remained where she was to lure the Eikon out of hiding. If she wanted to play then she'd join in. She waited and waited until she noticed a disturbance in the winds and turned just in time to see Garuda flying straight for her with her talons at the ready.

With a wave of Gaia's hand, massive vines shot out of the ground and wrapped around Garuda. The Eikon screeched as she was slammed against the ground. The vines tightened around her body and caused her immense pain. The thorns along the vines pierced her body. Using her sharp talons, Garuda sliced through the vines and freed herself.

Gaia knew the vines wouldn't hold her for long, but she was hoping it would have been more of a struggle for the Eikon. The goddess dodged Garuda when she attempted to grab her in her talons. She used more vines and managed to create a barrier from her flurry of attacks.

Garuda sliced through the vines protecting Gaia and was able to grab her by the throat. She snickered and used her wings to force the goddess against the ground. Her sharp talons wrapped tightly around her neck and pierced the skin. She used her other hand to try and claw out the goddess' eyes, but more vines erupted from the ground and knocked her away.

Gaia flew up into the sky. She held out her hand and summoned a large fireball. Throwing it at Garuda, the fireball hit its mark. The Eikon screeched as flames burned her feathers and the vines restraining her. She flew back into the vortex and disappeared.

She wondered where she had gone until she sensed the presence of not one but two fire Dominants. Her eyes widen in shock, knowing one had to be Clive. She sighed heavily, already knowing Cid wasn't able to keep him away. Wondering if Garuda would target Clive, she set out to find him.

Luckily, Gaia found him just before the Eikon struck. She batted Garuda away with a powerful blast of water. Once the Eikon was out of sight, she glanced down at Clive.

"Thank you, Lyra," Clive told her.

"I should have known you wouldn't listen," she confessed.

"I couldn't let you do this alone, and that fire Dominant...he's here."

She couldn't tell him the truth. Not yet, at least. "I shall do all in my power to keep Garuda away from you while you deal with the fire Dominant."

Clive nodded. "Understood. Thank you, my goddess."

Hearing him say that made Gaia smile in amusement. It usually was only Cid who referred to her in such a manner, but she didn't mind. Without another word, she flew above to keep a lookout for Garuda.

It wasn't long before Garuda attempted to attack Clive.

Gaia ensured his safety as he made his way to the top of the path. She kept Garuda away from him as he pursued the fire Dominant. She thought she had injured the Eikon with her magic earlier, but it seemed she was still going strong.