From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XLI 𖥸

A/N: I just want to apologize for cutting out a lot of the Barnabas/Odin fight. I didn't like it because it felt like it was lacking compared to the other Eikon battles. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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Lyra, after reverting back, landed at the northern exit of Eistla. She gazed at the barrier created by Odin's spears and examined it before holding her palm out over it. She could feel the darkness pulsating and knew just how to break through.

Just as she was about to break through the barrier, she caught sight of Clive, Gav, and Torgal standing in the plaza of the village. All three of them were safe. "Clive! Gav!"

Both men heard her shouting. They looked around until they found her outside of the barrier. They ran over to her, both visibly relieved to see she was safe.

"You're all right," Clive sighed in relief.

"What 'bout that other god?" Gav asked.

"Gone," she replied. "For now, at least. His behavior is strange and unsettling, but I am just relieved he has departed. Odin's appearance seemed to have been the cause of his withdrawal."

"And now there's this fuckin' barrier..." the scout groaned. "How're we—let alone you—s'posed to get through?"

"Stand back," she warned them. When both men stepped back, she placed her hand a few inches from the barrier. Using her own dark magic, she was able to counteract Odin's by applying a much more powerful spell that caused a small rupture in the barrier. She stepped through and it immediately closed behind her.

"Oh, using that fancy magic o' yours," Gav remarked. "But wouldn't it be better if we got out of the barrier instead of you comin' in?"

"Odin resides within the barrier, does he not?" she remarked, placing a hand on her hip.

"Well..."

"That twisted man has Crius, and I must get him back. I can't do that if I'm outside the barrier, can I?"

The scout sighed. "Even the nicest of gods is insane..."

Lyra glanced at Clive. "We should search the village. Perhaps we could find a place to rest for a short while to regain our bearings and deliberate our next move."

"Agreed," Clive said. "Let's go."

They searched the village of Eistla. Clive and Gav pushed on doors and jiggled handles to find any house that was unlocked. They were unsuccessful until they located a house near the main plaza where the doors were unlocked. Clive pushed open the doors, Gav following him into the house to check and make sure it was empty. Lyra and Torgal remained outside.

"Anybody here?!" Gav shouted, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

When Lyra heard faint sniffling, she entered the house. She silently walked behind Clive and Gav as they too heard the sniffling. They walked deeper into the house and found a poor woman hiding behind a barrel, weeping.

"Please... Please..." The woman begged. "Please no..."

Clive and Gav removed their hands from their swords as they slowly approached the woman. Lyra peered past them to examine her. She was shocked to discover she was pregnant.

"Er...miss—?" Gav asked. When the woman was startled by his voice and turned to him, he lifted his hands in the air to show he wouldn't harm her. "Whoa! Easy! Easy! We're not turned, all right?"

The woman glanced at him. "Who...?"

Lyra made her presence known. She smiled gently as she kneeled in front of the woman. "I hope you'll forgive us for startling you, my lady. Let me help you." She held out her hand.