From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXVII 𖥸

Lyra arrived at the marketplace in the Dalimil with Torgal. The first thing she noticed was the mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread. She walked past the baker and scoped out the people meandering around the Locket of Leisure.

While profiling who she might think would be a good person to question, she heard someone shout, "You!"

Lyra turned just in time to see a man running toward her. Torgal jumped in front of her and started to growl. The man stopped in fear of the dog attacking him. She petted the top of his head to calm him. "It's all right, Torgal."

She smiled at the man as the canine backed down.

The man's smile reappeared as he walked over to her. "I'm sorry for startling your companion, my lady, but I was amazed at seeing you in person!"

Lyra was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"A couple of months ago, a statue was recovered from newly unearthed Fallen ruins. Archaeologians believe it to be a deity they worshipped and you resemble her strongly!" He lowered his voice and whispered to her. "This information hasn't reached the public yet because they fear it with shake the foundation of the church of Sanbreque and all those who believe in the mighty Greagor."

Lyra's eyes widened at the news. She was worshipped by the Fallen, but she didn't know they made a statue of her. She feared this news would spread regardless if the Holy Empire kept it secret. She quickly wiped the shock off her face and cleared her throat. "Perhaps you are mistaken."

"Well..." the man examined her appearance. "Perhaps, but I cannot deny your features do resemble her. Forgive me for making assumptions, my lady. My name is Owen and I'm an artist in search of my next inspiration! Your beauty simply reminded me of the statue ever since I came face to face with it."

"How did you come to see the statue if you are not an archaeologian?"

Owen smiled from ear to ear. "It helps when you have friends in high places. The statue was such an inspiration I finished my last piece in two days!" His smile then fell as he sighed sorrowfully. "But I'm afraid it will be ruined..."

"What happened?" Lyra inquired.

"I was traveling through the southern Velkroy when the Men of the Rock ambushed me! They took all the crystals I used to ensure my paintings were not ruined on my travels. The elements are harsh and if they aren't controlled..."

"Your paintings suffer," she concluded. "Where are your paintings now?"

"In my wagon stuck in the bloody desert sand," Owen groaned. "My poor chocobo is struggling to pull the wheels out."

Lyra glanced down at Torgal before looking back up at the artist. "Let us help you, Owen."

His eyes lit up. "Truly, my lady?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Take us to your wagon."

"Oh, thank you! Follow me."

Lyra and Torgal followed Owen to the Southern Velkroy Desert. Along the way, the artist told them a few stories he heard on his travels across Storm and how he hoped to visit Ash someday.

A little east of the Desert Gate, they found Owen's stuck wagon. The chocobo kwehed happily at seeing her owner return. Lyra and Torgal walked around to the rear of the wagon while the artist tended to the bird.

She examined the stuck wheel. "A small pitfall in the sand, it seems. Perhaps simply leveling the sand around the wheel could be our solution. Could you, Torgal?"

The canine barked and started to dig. He did as she suggested and worked as fast as he could. He was more than happy to dig through the sand. It only took him a minute to level out the sand around the wheel. He barked a second time to tell her he was done.