From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXVI 𖥸

Exchanging her nightgown for her normal attire, Lyra then sat down in the chair as per the request of Mid. The young woman had found her brush and began combing her hair for her.

"Have I ever told ya how much I love your hair?" Mid asked in the middle of combing the woman's golden locks. "Because I really do! I need to know how ya keep it so soft. Or is that just a god-thing?"

"I don't think soft hair is a simple trait for gods. Anybody can have soft hair with the correct treatment," Lyra explained.

"Maybe I need to change my hair care routine..." Mid mumbled. She continued to comb the woman's hair until it was neat. She made sure her curly tips were knot-free before beginning to style her hair. With small bands and a green ribbon decorated with golden accents, she created a braided crown that tied up into a ponytail. A couple of braided strands hung from the ponytail while her bangs framed her face. "Done! Hope ya like the ribbon. It's one of my spares."

Lyra felt the braided crown before her hand brushed against the ribbon. She smiled and stood up. "Thank you, Mid."

Mid smiled sweetly as she placed her hands on her hips. "Of course! I may be an engineer, but I'm still a girl. I enjoy doing hair from time to time. If ya need anything, come visit me in my workshop."

She nodded. "I will."

Lyra watched Mid leave the room before deciding that it was time for her to combine her spear with her talismans. But first, she needed to visit Charon. She headed to the main deck and saw Torgal lying by the old woman's counter. She smiled at the canine before speaking to the merchant. "Good day, my fair lady."

Charon huffed out a chuckle as she lowered her cigarette. "Don't start. What ya want?"

"You wouldn't happen I have any spare fabric on hand, would you? I'd be willing to pay a fine gil."

"Oh, please," the old woman groaned. She reached under her counter and revealed a strip of emerald fabric. "Don't give me a bloody coin. I was gonna toss it."

"This means I don't need to bother Hortense. Much appreciated, Charon."

"Yeah, yeah. Now get outta here."

Lyra took the strip of green fabric. She noticed Torgal following her as she waved at Blackthorne to pass through the Black Hammer. Back outside the airship, she looked around and found a spot where there was enough room and nobody was around. Manipulating her talismans, they emerged from her pocket and floated around her. She held the fabric strip with both hands and glanced at the canine. "Things are about to start glowing. Don't get too close, all right?"

Torgal barked in response and watched her intently. He started to become excited and jumped around as her eyes started glowing and green veins appeared across her body. The symbols on her talismans began to glow before being lifted off the paper. The strip of fabric floated upward as the symbols transferred over to it. They appeared in white and contrasted well against the emerald fabric.

The paper that was once her weapon crumbled to ash and was carried away by the breeze. All the power infused in the papers had been transferred to the fabric and she no longer needed the talismans. With the successful transfer, she was done. Her eyes returned to normal and the green veins vanished. The strip of fabric floated down and landed in her open palms.

"How magnificent!"

Lyra was startled by the voice. She saw Clive and his uncle standing behind the jumping Torgal. She blinked in shock when she saw the older man. "Lord Byron?"

Byron smiled in awe. "I have never seen such spectacular sorcery. What kind of magic did we just witness?"

"About that, Uncle," Clive spoke up. "Lyra is, well..."