From the Heavens (Final Fantasy XVI)

𖥸 XLV 𖥸

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

Once they returned to the hideaway, Clive spoke to Otto and soon everyone was gathered in the main deck near the Tub and Crown. He walked to where his allies were waiting and glanced around at their faces. "Is this everyone?"

"Yes," Lyra replied. "We are all here."

"As I'm sure you've all guessed, the crystal which now commands the eastern skies was summoned by Ultima. He called it "Origin"...though the significance of that name is as yet unclear."

"What does it matter what it's called?" Vivian remarked, her voice laced with anger. "Its emergence tore Twinside asunder...and wiped my homeland from the map."

"Mention of the Dominion's spires can be found in the oldest of Valisthean records," Harpocrates began. "But to the best of my knowledge, none provide any hint as to their true nature. That they would prove the horns of some slumbering demon! Well..."

Byron was the next to speak. "The Dominion's demise was at least quick. Elsewhere, the Republican Army cannot hope to contain the chaos engulfing Ran'dellah... Kanver is in flames, and the empire...!"

"Our allies are crying out for answers," Gav explained. "I've sent the Cursebreakers to give them what assurances we can, but right now, that amounts to fuck all."

"They wouldn't be able to stop what the skies have started, in any case," Tarja said. "People here and across the realm grow sicker with every passing day."

There was a brief silence before Jill spoke up. "Could it be that this new Mothercrystal is like the others?
That it draws upon the land's aether? It certainly looked that way from Stonhyrr."

"If that were true, it would explain the hastening spread of the Blight since the crystal's appearance, would it not?" Jote asked, glancing toward Joshua.

Joshua lowered his head in thought, cupping a fist just below his lips. "And as the land's aether slowly rises to the surface, it pools...corrupting all who cannot channel its energies. Arche above, aetherfloods below, and in the middle, here we languish...hopelessly entrapped." Reading the suffocating silence, he looked at the others and felt he made a mistake because of his somewhat careless words.

When Joshua looked to Clive, the older brother reassured him. "It's all right." He then went on to explain what needed to be done. "When we faced him at Stonhyrr, Ultima told us his true power quickens in the halls of Origin. Needless to say...we cannot allow that to continue. If we are to stop him, we will have to find a way into the crystal."

"How are we going to manage that, then?" Mid inquired. "It's up in the sky. And fast as she is, the Enterprise can't fly."

Her words caused the entire meeting to come to a halt. Clive looked away and Otto stepped in to adjourn everyone.

"It's a lot to take in. And I reckon we'd all benefit from some time to clear our heads. The answer'll come to us, don't you worry. Ain't that right, Clive?" Otto asked, glancing at said man.

Clive nodded. "Right. That's right."

Otto proceeded to shoo off the others. "Well, go on then. Bugger off!"