From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XIV 𖥸

A/n: Just to clarify since this chapter does cover part of the Northreach storyline, Torgal is NOT with Clive and Lyra. He is with Jill and Cid in case people wonder where he is. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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Leaving Lyra's room, the couple decided to check with Charon before leaving for the holy capital. The old woman glanced between the two. "So what gods-forsaken corner of the realm is Cid dragging you both off to this time?"

"Oriflamme," Clive answered.

"The Holy Capital!" Charon gaped in shock. "And what business would you lot have in—On second thoughts, I don't want to know."

"It probably is best to not know," Lyra said. She noticed the old woman's eyes drift down to her necklace and covered it. "Charon..."

"I know," Charon sighed. "The necklace's not for sale. Now get out of here."

Lyra laughed. "All right, all right."

As the couple walked away from the old woman, Clive glanced at Lyra. "What is this about the necklace?"

"Ever since I came to the hideaway and met Charon, she's been trying to buy the necklace you gave me. She would even raise the price of her offer whenever I was low on gil," she explained. "But I have refused every offer she has thrown my way."

"You could have sold it to help you these past thirteen years, but you didn't."

"Of course not. I cherish this necklace," she confessed. "Even if someone offered me a palace, I would not relinquish this necklace."

"Does it not remind you of that night?" Clive asked.

"It does, but..." She looked over at him with a smile. "To me, it represents our bond more than anything. It's because of this necklace that I was able to cling to the hope that you were still alive."

"Hearing you say that makes me overjoyed," he said, smiling. "Perhaps I will search for a matching pair of earrings."

She laughed. "I can't believe you remember me saying that. I truly thought you were going to pull more jewelry out of your pocket. But to speak from the heart, I prefer you remain at my side than be gifted all the finest jewelry Valisthea has to offer."

"I promise," he replied. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good, because I'll haunt you if you disappear on me." Lyra grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the Fat Chocobo. "Now, to speak with Otto."

Clive and Lyra enter the Fat Chocobo. She released his hand as they approached the man. He had been expecting them.

"So you two are really going through with it?" Otto asked. "Cid's been talking about bringing down a Mothercrystal since I've known him...but that's all it's ever been—talk."

"Wow," Lyra crossed her arms. "Word travels fast."

"Only when it comes to Cid's crazy schemes."

"He's convinced it's the right thing to do. We'll be leaving for the capital shortly," Clive said.

"Well, you couldn't have picked a better moment. Seems the hiding the royalists gave him wasn't enough to dampen old Sylvestre's spirits. His legions are on the march again—this time due south."

"Another war?" Clive inquired.

"All as the great Greagor wills it. Bloodthirsty little miss, that one...but that's gods for you, innit?"

Lyra looked away at the mention of the gods. She didn't dare try to bring down a god that didn't exist when an entire nation of people worshipped her. Distancing herself a little, Clive was quick to notice and understood why.