From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXI 𖥸

The moment they passed through Auldhyl's gates, Torgal's fur stood on end. He started to growl, his sharp teeth on full display.

Clive looked down at the canine. "Find something, boy?" He only took a few steps forward until his nose was assaulted by the foul stench of decaying flesh. He immediately winced at how overwhelming the odor was. "Death..."

Jill was covering her mouth and nose. Being all too familiar with the stench of death, Lyra proceeded ahead of them. However, her body froze mid-stride at the sight that laid before her. The corpses of Bearers were strung up on wooden poles. Horrified expressions were forever frozen on their faces.

"Oh, Founder..." Jill gaped in horror.

Clive stumbled past the women, his horrified eyes glancing around at the corpses. He couldn't believe someone would do this, but he knew one person who didn't seem to harbor a kind bone in her body. "This was my mother's doing..."

Jill lowered her hands from her face. "But why? Why would anyone...?"

Clive shook his head. "I don't know. I never truly understood her...but this..."

"Clive..."

"This is no mere slaughter of innocence," Lyra spoke up. "This level of massacre...the gravest of sins, one that can only be repaid with the suffering of the one who committed it. If she truly wishes to send a message, she best be prepared to pay the price for her actions." She lowered her head, clenching her fists tightly out of anger.

Being the goddess of life, Lyra abhorred those who would easily take the lives of innocent people simply because they had the power to do so when things didn't go their way. Her hatred for Anabella was strong, but now it was overwhelming. No one deserved to snuff out the lives of others as if it were a game, and no one deserved to enjoy life if they saw no issue with taking it.

Feeling a hand gently grab her fist, Lyra lifted her head and found Clive holding her now opened hand. Her anger was pushed aside when she saw his determined gaze.

"I will learn what madness drives her, and I will end it," he declared, squeezing her hand.

She looked back at the corpses. "In the meantime, they deserve a peaceful passing." Before she could slide her hand out of his, he gripped her hand tighter and prevented her from letting go. She gazed confusingly at him. "Clive?"

"Your intentions are honorable, but I cannot permit it. I loathe to prevent you from praying for them out of fear of that man returning."

Lyra remembered Indra's appearance in Sorrowise. It was only after her prayer did he appear. Frightened of the corrupted god, she understood a prayer could possibly bring them avoidable trouble. Sorrowfully, she sighed. "If Indra can locate my presence because of my prayer, then I will...refrain from it."

Clive could tell just how sad and angered she was at the situation. He was too, but she seemed to be more affected. "Forgive me, Lyra."

She shook her head and smiled faintly at him. "There is nothing to apologize for. I was being careless and almost put us in a dangerous situation. I couldn't bear it if you, Jill, or Torgal were injured because of my recklessness."

"Your prayers are not careless," Jill remarked. "They are wonderful and compassionate. They reflect who you truly are. Even I regret not allowing you to pray."

"It...would be impossible to pray for everyone," she said, looking at the corpses. "Forgive me. I hope you will know peace soon whether it be by my hands or another's..."

Clive reluctantly released her hand and turned away from the bodies. "We should go."

Jill sighed melancholically. "Yes."