From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXXI 𖥸

A/N: The Fall semester has started, but I will still try to upload every other day. If that changes, I will post an announcement on my account. Besides that bit of information, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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|| Laetny's Cleft ||
|| Eastern Dhalmekia ||

Clive, Jill, Lyra, and Torgal had reached Laetny's Cleft. They would travel along the path until they reached Boklad. It would take them some time to get to their destination, but they were more than ready for whatever obstacles that presented themselves. They would overcome anything that tried to stop them from reaching the Crystalline Dominion.

They crossed the ravine via a bridge and passed through the remains of what seemed to be a few houses. There were a few unsavory bandits along the route, but they quickly disposed of them.

Eventually, the path led them through the remains of a Fallen ruin. They came across a few of the machines left behind by the ancient civilization, but Lyra was quick to reprogram them so they wouldn't hurt innocent people who would find themselves traveling down this path.

After passing through the Fallen ruins, the party came to a clifftop that overlooked the large crater known as the Final Sin. Lyra easily recognized the location and almost froze out of shock when she and the others came to a stop near the edge of the cliff.

"So this is Dzemekys," Clive said, admiring the crater.

Jill smiled at the beauty. "The land of the gods. It's even more impressive than I imagined. I remember being captivated by the story as a child."

"Long, long ago, man was overcome by avarice, and challenged the gods in a bid to win their power. The final battle took place here, at these falls. Or so the legend goes..." Clive gazed at the water in the crater. "If anyone ever manages to plumb those depths, perhaps we'll learn if there's any truth to the tale."

"That the gods emerged victorious, and punished man for his defiance...by visiting upon him two curses."

"Dominants and Bearers."

"A true god stands with us," Jill said, eyes drifting over to Lyra. "Could you tell us the truth of these legends?"

Feeling their eyes on her, the goddess tensed. She didn't dare look at her or Clive. "I do not wish to denounce legends or other beliefs. Please, simply believe what you desire. Perhaps the truth is better left unsaid..."

Clive placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently to provide her with some comfort. He then spoke what was on his mind. "To tell the truth, I always thought it strange that the Dominants and their Eikons were deemed a curse. Back home, the Dominant inherited the throne. They were admired and exalted, not spurned. Whenever I got to that part of the story, I always assumed there must be something I'd misunderstood."

"You had a lot of story books, didn't you?" Jill asked. "In your room, I mean. When we were young."

"Ones you often offered me believing I too would enjoy them," Lyra smiled fondly.

"Yes." Clive removed his hand from Lyra's shoulder and looked over at the women. "The old legends were always my favorites. Epic battles between gods and men. Father encouraged me to read as much as I could. He thought it good for my education."

"You really were a boy like any other, weren't you?" Jill remarked.

Clive chuckled lightly before looking out at the scenery once again. "Just look at this place is enough to make you believe the legends are true."