From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXXIV 𖥸

A/N: This is one of those chapters I don't feel is very good. I'm not sure why, but I just have that feeling of...ugh. It happens every now and then while I'm writing. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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It was a few days after their return from the Crystalline Dominion. Lyra had been teaching Clive to read the language of the gods by using Mimir's chronicle. She would write certain symbols down on paper and have him decipher them as an exercise. Whenever he finished, he would give the piece of paper to her so she could check. She was currently checking the latest sentence he translated.

Clive was growing nervous when she didn't say anything right away. "Is something wrong?"

Lyra turned around to reveal her proud smile. "Not at all. In fact, you deciphered it perfectly. It's only been a few days yet you're excelling. I must confess, I am quite impressed."

"A student is only as good as their teacher," Clive replied.

"Truth be told, you're an excellent student. Now I see why my father enjoyed training you."

This took him by surprise. "He...did?"

She laughed at his shocked expression. "He did, indeed. He would tell me how wonderful it was to train you. You always gave it your all, even when you were exhausted. He knew from the beginning you would be a wonderful Shield because of your dedication to training."

Clive lowered his gaze, eyes falling to his desk. "I owe much to Lord Murdoch, and to you."

She walked over and stood on the other side of the desk. "I owe you much as well, Clive, and that list only seems to keep getting longer. I couldn't have done anything without you and so many others."

His eyes locked with hers. "Even after all these years, I still find it astounding our paths crossed. The world is vast and yet I was blessed to be the one by your side."

She smiled. "Perhaps losing my memories was a good thing. Though I had to lose them to realize my mistakes, it has been wonderful to make new ones. It is strange how the stars weaved our fates together."

"Fate..." Clive mumbled the word. "Do you believe it can be altered?"

"I do because I have witnessed it with my own eyes," she answered honestly. "Remember when we spoke about my capture at Rosalith? That was changing the tides of fate. If one knows the outcome, one can change it. However, it is extremely difficult. All pieces have to fall in perfect sync for an altercation of events. Seeing as the fate of gods isn't written in the stars, it is gods who can easily overwrite fate."

"Gods defy fate," he said. "Which means...you can alter it as you see fit."

Lyra laughed lightly. "If the Moirai heard you say that, they would be quite angry."

His brows furrowed together. "The Moirai?"

"The three godly sisters of fate. There are many gods I haven't told you about, but I know for certain you will learn much more about them as Mimir's chronicle contains a vast amount of information regarding them. Seeing how quickly you are learning the language of the gods, I wouldn't be surprised if you could read his entire book by yourself before the year is up."

Clive chuckled. "Seeing how thick the chronicle is, reading it all would require my undivided attention for months. But first, I must comprehend all aspects of the language of the gods."

"You're doing well so far. Keep it up."

Lyra continued her lesson for a couple of more hours before deciding it would be best to stop for today. She infused her magic into Mimir's chronicle and dispelled it. "That is all for now. Well done, Clive."