Chapter Text
He found Fresh Cut Grass gazing thoughtfully at the stream. The little Aeormaton shone in the dappled sunlight, their chassis as pristine as ever—a bit battered here and there, but whole. There was no trace of their final, violent confrontation with Otohan.
FCG noticed his approach and their lights brightened, a warm glow of recognition. Ashton had always been amused by how much emotion FCG could convey with their metallic face. He tried to match FCG's enthusiasm with a smile, but what emerged was more of a grimace. His heart was heavy, still weighed down by grief even as he looked at FCG’s intact form.
"Pretty. Not a bad place to escape," Ashton remarked stiffly, his eyes following a leaf floating down the sparkling stream. FCG's expression suddenly shifted to one of concern.
"Oh no, should I have stayed back? I can return to the others if they need me."
Ashton placed a heavy hand on FCG’s shoulder. "Sit. Stay."
"Alright," FCG replied, a hint of relief in their tone. They must have felt the exhaustion from everything that had transpired; Ashton felt it too, and he hadn't even died. He watched the leaf drift away over a small waterfall, letting out a deep sigh.
“That was truly the worst fucking day of my life,” Ashton muttered hoarsely, his gaze fixed stubbornly on the water. He knew FCG was observing him, probably contemplating how to help—as they always did. The memory of FCG’s shattered lenses and dangling jaw flashed through his mind, and he glanced over to ensure they were indeed intact. To his surprise, FCG was also staring intently at the stream.
“It was the only way, Ashton. The only way to save everyone,” FCG stated quietly.
Ashton struggled to hold back his frustration. “But it didn’t save everyone, did it? It killed you. You killed yourself .”
The Aeormaton shifted, discomfort apparent even in their mechanical demeanor. “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t want to die.”
“I thought we were past this... I thought you were okay.”
“I was—I am okay. This wasn’t about self-worth. It was about saving you.”
Ashton’s anger flared. “I’m still angry with you.”
“I know. That’s okay too. I’d rather have your anger directed at me than—”
“Oh, I’m angry with myself too. I’m so damn angry.” Ashton’s voice grew harsher. FCG looked at him with sadness in their lenses.
“You did everything you could.”
“I could have been faster. Smarter. I could have hit her harder. Hitting hard—that’s all I can fucking do. But I failed, and you ended up dead. I’m not fucking okay with that.”
“We all nearly didn’t make it, Ashton. Not just me. I was losing myself; gods, I might have killed everyone if I had survived...” Ashton remembers Fearne’s numb recollection of FCG’s lights turning red in their final moments.
“Am I supposed to forgive myself just because everyone else failed too?” Ashton's voice was bitter, his heartache palpable.
FCG remained silent, giving him space. “I could use some damn therapy right now, Grass.”
“You’re right. You should talk to someone,” FCG suggested gently.
“Great. We’ll find someone in Jrusar.” Ashton stood abruptly and kicked at the stream, sending droplets flying into the air. The sediment swirled where his boot had disturbed the water.
“Jrusar?” FCG echoed.
“We’re leaving. You and I. The others can come if they want. We’ve done what we needed to here.”
“What about Predathos? Shouldn’t we—”
“Predathos is too much for us. We barely survived one of Ludinus’s lieutenants. Let the Tempest and her army handle it. They have the experience and strength. We’ve done enough.”
“What will you do?”
“What will we do,” Ashton corrected. “We’ll figure it out. Maybe take some jobs. There’s probably something left in the hole we could sell.”
“What about Aeor?”
“What ABOUT Aeor? It’ll still be there after the pros handle Ludinus. Maybe we’ll take a holiday there later.”
“I meant, what about the others. They’re planning to go to Aeor. Aren’t you going with them?”
“Hell no. You’ve already sacrificed enough for this cause. It’s time to let it go. If they want to come with us, fine. If it’s just you and me, that’s fine too.”
“Ashton, I can’t go with you.”
“Why not?!” Ashton’s voice cracked with frustration. “Why the FUCK not, FCG? Is this because of the Changebringer? She’ll use you until there’s nothing left! Forget about saving her!”
“It’s not about the Changebringer.”
“Then what? You want to sacrifice yourself again? I can’t—I can’t go through that again.” Ashton’s voice broke, a mix of anger and sorrow.
“I’m sorry, Ashton. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Let me save you this time. Please. You’ve done enough.”
“You know why I can’t do that.”
Ashton stared at FCG, noticing their lenses glowing brighter, glowing white . FCG reached out, pointing behind him. A sense of dread filled him.
“What is it?”
FCG remained silent, and Ashton grabbed their shoulders. “Tell me what’s happening. What’s happening to you?”
A divine light burst forth behind Ashton. He gasped and turned, instinctively reaching for his hammer, only to see dark, ruddy stone and a glimmering coin wedged next to an entryway. A sinking feeling overwhelmed him.
All he could hear was his own heartbeat and ragged breathing. Darkness closed in, leaving only a sliver of vision. He knew what he would see if he turned around.
He turned.
Gasping, Ashton woke from the dream, his body covered in sweat. Only the embers of a dying fire and the stars cast light around him. He spun, counting the bedrolls of his companions with a trembling hand.
Chetney. Fearne. Imogen and Laudna. Orym, perched in the tree.
No gleam of metal or glass. No soft glow of a gemstone or lens.
They were gone.
Ashton lay back down, buried his face in his hands, and wept.