From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XII 𖥸

A/n: Hello everyone! I just wanted to post this little note because this chapter contains some endgame lore. It might be less than I think, but I still wanted to post a warning in case there are people who are reading who have to unlock all the lore. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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⚠️WARNING: SPOILERS OF FFXVI AHEAD⚠️

|| Phoenix Gate Ruins ||
|| Northwestern Rosaria ||

Stepping out of the Dim, the party could see Phoenix Gate in the distance. As expected, it was in shambles. Jill looked at the ruins before glancing at her friends. She could tell how troubled they were by seeing the sight.

"There it is—Phoenix Gate..." Clive muttered. "Where it all went wrong."

Lyra gazed at him to see how he was faring. From his tone, she knew he was trying to keep his composure. As he turned away from the ruins, she walked over to him and placed a finger under his chin and lifted his head up. When her eyes met his, she gently spoke to him. "I won't lie—it will be tough, but you're not alone. We will do this together."

"Yes," Jill said. "It's time to discover the truth."

"I'll fly ahead and scout out the area." Lyra stepped back and transformed into a hawk. She flapped her wings and took to the sky. She flew toward the ruins of Phoenix Gate and searched for any enemies. Fortunately, it looked like the area was clear. She waited for Clive, Jill, and Torgal to arrive.

She perched on a section of the ruins that overlooked the large crater created by the battle between Ifrit and the Phoenix. She thought she sensed a strange presence but it disappeared. Then, she saw her companions crossing over the pile of rubble. Screeching to announce her presence and draw her companions' attention, she flew down toward them.

Jill held out her gloved arm and allowed the hawk to land on it. "How fares the scouting?"

"Though the area is clear, I did sense a strange presence," Lyra spoke. "However, it quickly vanished."

"Well done," Jill said, rubbing the top of the hawk's head with her finger. "I must say, I am still trying to grow accustomed to your shapeshifting abilities. It is a magnificent ability."

"I must confess, it is fun to change forms." She turned her gaze to Clive, who was looking around the ruins. "Let's keep going, shall we?"

Clive nodded. "All right."

Remaining perched on Jill's arm, Lyra's large green eyes looked around as she, Clive, and Torgal walked up the path along the cliffside that overlooked the crater.

Clive was in pure shock at the destruction. "Could I have done this?"

"Could anyone?" Jill asked in return. "This level of destruction... I cannot believe anyone survived, but you did just that, Lyra. How?"

"My talismans protected me," she answered.

Clive stared at the crater. "If I had killed you as well..." He covered his face with his hand. "I would have lost everything..."

"Clive..." Lyra mumbled melancholically. She flew off Jill's arm and reverted back. She gazed sadly at him, not being able to find a proper reply.

"You were right." Clive turned to the golden-haired woman. "I lost sight of hope when it was still with me. The talisman you gave me was what I lost sight of. Even when it burned bright, all I saw was darkness. I truly had given up..."