From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XXXIX 𖥸

When Lyra awoke, she realized the campfire had burned out. Slowly removing her naked form away from Clive's, who was still asleep, she got to her feet and checked on their clothes. Finding they were dried, she put her clothes back on and looked to the sky to see the sun was just breaking beyond the horizon. She checked on Clive before heading to the water's edge to send out Theia. The dragon appeared at her command. "Find the Enterprise and notify them of our location."

Theia bowed her head in response before flapping her wings and taking to the sky.

Lyra watched the dragon until she vanished from sight. Her gaze drifted to the horizon as the sun had finally risen above the horizon. The gentle breeze that blew across the coast ruffled her hair. She combed a few strands behind her ear as she watched the sun rise into the sky.

Feeling a warm body rub against her leg, she looked down to see Torgal. She smiled and petted him. "Good morning, Torgal. You could get some more sleep if you'd like."

Torgal barked in response, his ears perking up as he wagged his tail. He remained at her side for a while before they both returned to the makeshift campsite. There, they found Clive had put his clothes back. When Lyra took a closer look, she noticed the talisman she gave him hovering above his palm. The paper Phoenix flapped its wings as the edges were ignited in flames.

Smiling, she walked over to him. "Do you wish for me to change its shape?"

Hearing her voice, Clive turned around. "No. I was simply admiring its beauty."

"Are you certain?" She held out her hand and the paper bird flew to her. It hovered above her palm as she started to manipulate its shape. "Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh...or even Torgal."

Torgal barked the moment he saw the talisman resemble him.

Lyra's smile bloomed at hearing the dog barking excitedly. "I can even do people. What would you like, Clive?"

Clive stared at the talisman before coming to a decision. "What of you?"

She was stunned for a few seconds before manipulating the talisman to take on her appearance. The paper folded neatly and the edges lit up with green aether. She then allowed the talisman, which now resembled her, to return to him. A small smirk formed on her lips. "Am I not enough for you?"

Clive was quick to reply as the talisman landed in his palm. "Far from it. As I mentioned, you make me a greedy man. Consider this a part of that greed."

This made her giggle. "Honesty does suit you."

Suddenly, the couple heard a roar that was accompanied by a bell. They both looked at each other before walking to the water's edge. In the distance, they saw the Enterprise and listened to the ringing of the bell. Theia was flying toward them.

"Thank you, Theia," Lyra said as the dragon landed on the beach.

The beast bowed her head before vanishing.

"Our time in Ash was short," she started, "but we will return soon to annihilate its corrupt king and shatter the last remaining Mothercrystal."

"The Einherjar is at the bottom of the sea. Waloed won't dare move on Storm without her," Clive said, turning to her. "But they know we are coming now. We'll need a plan...and a damn good one at that."

"We'll find one," she assured him. "But first, let's return home. Ash shall await our return."

|| The Hideaway ||
|| Central Storm Deadlands ||

A few days later, Lyra was busy reading more of Mimir's chronicle. She was trying to pass the time since Tarja still wasn't allowing anyone to see Joshua, not even Clive. She had been so absorbed in reading the past few days that she didn't spend much time with anybody else except for Clive to teach him a little more about the language of the gods.