Chapter Text
Alisaie lay on her back, staring up at the gray sky. Everything hurt. Gods, it hurt. She tried to breathe in and winced at the sharp pain in her ribs.
Had they finally met their match? They’d overcome gods, Ascians, anything you could name, yet this was how the Scions’ tale ended?
She glanced to her side, feeling her heart drop at the sight of all the bodies that lay beside her.
…Was she the last one left? Alisaie laughed at the irony at it all, wincing once more at the pain it caused. Of course she, the youngest and weakest (she would never say it to the others, but she knew it to be true) of the Scions was to be the only one who remained. Her laughs devolved into sobs.
Why couldn’t she be stronger? If she had been, then would it have ended differently? Would she have been able to save them? Not just the Scions, but everyone she’d lost. Tesleen, Emery, Grandfather…
Please, gods…! Surely, someone had to be listening! Someone had to have the power to give her the strength she needed! All she needed was a little bit, just—
Hear…
Hear… Feel…
Hear… Feel… Think…
Alisaie awoke with a start, her heart racing.
“Oi! Y’all right, lass?” A vaguely familiar voice called out to her. All of her senses felt clouded but she tried to focus on whoever was speaking to her. “You were moanin’ in your sleep and sweatin’ buckets besides. Rollin’ of the ship got your stomach churnin’, has it?”
“Ugh… I…” She clutched her head. Her head ached like hells but it seemed to be passing.
“Hmmm… Don’t seem like seasickness, now that I look at you. It’ll be the aether, then, I reckon.” He continued on, though Alisaie tuned him out as she tried to stop her vision from spinning.
Something felt wrong. There was something missing. She just couldn’t remember what. Hadn’t she heard those words before…?
When the man finally left, Alisaie took stock of her surroundings. She was on a ship, below deck. Possibly sailing to Limsa, judging by the snippets she had caught of the man’s one-sided conversation. Alphinaud sat beside her, having only just woken up himself. For some reason, he wore his more casual linen tunic rather than his usual attire. They had both previously worn such clothing whilst traveling Eorzea for the first time, as much of the clothing their parents had given them was less than suitable for combat. Alisaie looked down at herself, and upon doing a double take, realized she was wearing the same!
“…What in the hells is going on…?” She mumbled to no one in particular as she inspected herself. “This is almost like when… when…”
In an instant, everything came back to her. The battle, the death and destruction that followed, her pleading to the gods above. She had thought all hope was lost, but…
“Alphinaud!” Alisaie leaped up from her seat, startling her brother. “What happened?!”
“Whatever do you mean?” Alphinaud looked at her like she’d gone mad.
“I mean—how did we get here? Last I recall, we—” We all died. The rest of the sentence seemed to get stuck in her throat, and no matter how hard she tried to spit it out, she just couldn’t say it. “Ugh! You know what I’m getting at, right?”
Alphinaud looked even more confused, though with a touch of annoyance. “Perhaps that fellow was right—the abundance of aether seems to have addled your mind. I’d thought that you would be fine, given your affinity for magicks, but maybe I was mistaken.”
Alisaie blinked in surprise. “Huh? What are you trying to say?”
Alphinaud simply clicked his tongue in response and turned away to look out the porthole.
Alisaie huffed in frustration and sat back down beside him. What was he being such a little shite for?! It brought to mind his attitude from when they were younger. Coupled with their outfits and their apparent voyage to Limsa, it all was almost too similar to when they first arrived in Eorzea.
She wanted to scream. Nothing made any sense! But there had to be some explanation for this, right? There was absolutely no way she’d traveled back in bloody time over some stupid, grief-driven wish!
Alisaie closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“…Alphinaud?”
“Yes, Sister?”
“…How long has it been since the Calamity, now?” Her heart raced as she braced for the answer.
Alphinaud scoffed. “‘Tis five summers now. Surely you’re not so drunk on aether that you’ve forgotten that, have you?”
Five years. The last year of the Seventh Umbral Era. The year Alisaie and Alphinaud left the motherland for Eorzea.
“No, I… It’s nothing.” Alisaie bit her lip. She stood back up, her fists clenched. “I need some fresh air.” She had to find the Warrior of Light. They were somewhere on this ship, too, based on how this had all gone previously.
Opening the doors to the upper deck, she shielded her eyes from the sudden bright light threatening to bring back her headache.
“Ah, yer feelin’ better, now, I take it?” The Hyuran peddler from before leaned against the mast as he looked out across the endless sea.
She’d not the time nor the patience for pleasantries. “The adventurer that was below deck with us—where are they?”
He cocked his head as he thought. “Adventurer? I don’ recall any o’ those types bein’ on this voyage. Just lots o’ merchants and the like—and you two younguns, o’ course.”
“But, they…!” They were here last time! Alisaie’s words got caught in her throat once more. This was all so godsdamned annoying! She swallowed down her irritation and anger as best she could. “…Nevermind, I must be mistaken, then. Thank you for your help, in any case.” She nodded courteously to him before turning to find a quiet spot for herself on the deck.
“If it’s adventurers yer lookin’ for, you could do worse than the Guild in Limsa! I bet they could find yer man!” He called after her, then waved her off on her way.
She smiled in return and watched him wander off to speak with some of the other voyagers. When he’d finally left her sight, she slapped her palm to her face and groaned in frustration. What could she even do at this point? The Warrior of Light was nowhere to be found, and even if she did find them, there was no guarantee they’d remember everything like she did…
Alisaie sighed. She supposed she’d just have to wait and see how this played out.
~~
When the twins disembarked the vessel and entered Limsa Lominsa proper, they were greeted by Deks and Sinis, the Roegadyn brothers that had been hired to escort Alisaie and keep her out of danger. Even back then, she’d found it humiliating that their parents deemed Alphinaud strong enough to take care of himself, but not her.
…Or they just didn’t want her doing anything foolish. Like journeying into the heart of Bahamut’s prison. Hm. Perhaps they did have a point.
But now Alisaie was stronger and smarter and she didn’t need the help. Despite protests from them as well as Alphinaud, she dismissed the brothers. Ignoring even more protests from Alphinaud, she made a beeline to the Adventurers’ Guild.
The streets and alleys that Alisaie once thought maze-like were almost second nature to her now. The familiar route brought to mind her many visits to Ga Bu. She practically dragged Alphinaud behind her as he struggled to keep up with her whilst also trying to take in the sights. Though he didn’t voice his thoughts, he was baffled as to how confidently his sister navigated the city all the way to the Drowning Wench.
“Greetin’s to ye two. I can tell ye ain’t ‘ere fer the drink, am I right? What can the ol’ ‘Venturers’ Guild do for ye?” The man behind the counter grinned at the twins as they approached.
“You’ve the names of all your members, past and present, on record, correct?” Alisaie cut straight to the point once more.
“‘Course we do! Got records from Gridania an’ Ul’dah too, lest ye wonder! I’ll need yer name, first, ‘fore I go givin’ out folks’ names to any ol’ bloke.”
She nodded. “Alisaie. And my brother, Alphinaud.”
Said brother scowled at her for being so casual and informal. “Alphinaud and Alisaie Leveilleur , that is.” He looked so damned stuck-up when he said it.
“Leveilleur? Ye related to Archon Louisoix, then? Ye got some good blood in yer veins.” His smile was tinged with melancholy.
Alphinaud opened his mouth to say something that was surely egocentric, but Alisaie cut him off before he could even start.
“In any case, I need to find someone.” She began. “Their name is—” She couldn’t say it. “I-It’s—” It stuck on the tip of her tongue just as had happened before. Flustered, she hastily grabbed a nearby pen and pad of paper. “J-just let me write it out!” She pressed the nib down but her hand would not move any further. Come on! Move, damn you! She willed it even harder, but to no avail. Their name echoed in her mind, unspeakable, unwritable. Her frustration welled up further and further the more she tried and failed.
But all that rage had to go somewhere. She just had to do something, anything! “DAMN IT!” She scribbled the pen across the page with all the force she could muster, completely breaking the nib off from the base. Ink bled out all over her hand and the counter below.
“By the Twelve, Alisaie! What in the hells has gotten into you?!” Alphinaud snatched her hand away from the broken pen and pushed in front of her without even looking at her. “I do apologize for my sister, good sir. It has been a long journey for the both of us and even without such a burden she can be quite… volatile.” He leaned in closer to the barkeep and lowered his voice for the last word.
Alisaie’s face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. She clenched her fists, ink still dripping from her dominant hand. Wiping at her budding tears, she stormed off.
‘Twas just her luck that she’d make an absolute fool of herself so soon! She was beginning to think she had actually died and been sent to the first circle of hell. Whatever this was, it was a curse. She’d asked for strength, yet now she felt even more helpless.
Eventually she gave up on trying to wipe away her tears and let them fall freely. She leaned her back against a wall in a quiet corner she’d found, sliding down it to reach a sitting position. She hugged her knees to her chest and buried her face in them.
After what felt like an eternity, her tears were finally spent and she had begun to calm down. Slowly and deliberately, she breathed in and out, in and out. She probably looked like shite. At least no one was here to see—
“…Alisaie?”
Of course.
Alisaie looked up to see who it was.
Y’shtola stood above her, looking puzzled. “I’d not expected to see you two so soon, but Alphinaud has been all over the city searching for you.”
Alisaie’s ears drooped slightly and she couldn’t meet Y’shtola’s gaze.
Y’shtola sighed and reached her hand out to Alisaie. “Come now, before he starts to believe you’ve thrown yourself off the pier.”
Hesitantly, Alisaie grabbed her hand and was quickly hoisted up.
“…Heard all about my temper tantrum, have you?” Alisaie scoffed as she dusted herself off.
“Worry not, I’m sure you have your reasons for what happened.” She smiled. “Let us get back to your brother.”
Before they could even take a single step, a searing pain shot through Alisaie’s head. She would have fallen over were it not for Y’shtola there to catch her.
“Are you all right?!” The Scion’s words sounded so distant as Alisaie clutched her head. Everything faded away.
Alisaie opened her eyes and found herself in Hawker’s Alley. But it all seemed so faded, as if all her senses were muddled. She looked down at herself. There was nothing there, as if she didn’t even exist. She tried to cry out, but made no sound. Frantically, she reached out to someone passing by, but they just continued straight through her.
“Excuse me, sir!” A familiar voice caught her attention and she scanned the crowd for the source. Alphinaud stood at a stall, speaking to a merchant. Though to most he would appear composed, Alisaie could tell he was panicking. “I am looking for my twin sister, she looks similar to me, but is wearing a brown and red tunic.”
The merchant shook his head. “Sorry, lad, I ain’t seen ‘er.”
Alphinaud’s ears drooped. “A-ah, I see. I thank you for your assistance.” He quickly bowed to the merchant and began to move on, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
“Alphinaud? I thought you were to be leaving for the Waking Sands upon your arrival, not doing a lick of shopping.” Y’shtola put a hand on her hip and smirked, but her expression fell once she saw the state Alphinaud was in. “Is Alisaie not with you?”
“Y’shtola! Thank the Twelve you’re here! My sister has been acting strange ever since our voyage here, and now she has run off somewhere!” He was very relieved to see a familiar face.
“Oh? Strange how?” She quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
“She was speaking nonsense on the ship, and once we landed, she took us straight to the Adventurers’ Guild where she had an unprovoked fit of rage and then ran off!”
“Hm… Well, we can worry about that later. First, we must make sure that she is safe.”
“Yes, that is my priority. I will continue to search here on the lower decks, and can I trust you to return to the upper decks? She can’t have gone far, but I fear she has done something reckless…” He scowled, likely going through all of the worst-case scenarios in his head.
Y’shtola nodded. “I shall meet you at the Aetheryte anon.”
Alisaie felt dizzy once more and it was almost like the floor disappeared beneath her. She tried to scream, but—
“AHHHH—!” She awoke with a start, screaming into poor Y’shtola’s face. Her limbs trembled as she gasped for breath.
“Gods be good, Alisaie! You really are unwell.” Y’shtola slowly helped her down to the ground to sit. “Wait here, and I shall bring Alphinaud.”
“No, I’m—I’m fine…!” Alisaie’s shaky words were unconvincing, but Y’shtola had already left.
Alone once again, she tried to steady her breathing.
What was that? ‘Twas clearly a vision of Alphinaud searching for her, but how? The only people she knew who could peer into the past like that were those who possessed the Echo, but—
No, no, that wasn’t possible. She didn’t have the Echo! And there was no way for her to just randomly gain it!
…But then again, there should have been no way for her to travel back years into the past, either. Today was already godsdamned strange enough, she didn’t want to have to worry about the bloody Echo on top of everything else!
Alisaie craned her neck back to look up at the sky. Surely this was all just a dream. Soon she would wake up in bed in her proper time, and all of her friends would still be alive, and the Warrior of Light would smile at her and ruffle her hair and she would pretend to be annoyed by it and—
“Alisaie! What were you thinking?!” Alphinaud rushed to her side, interrupting her daydream. He kneeled in front of her and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. “Y’shtola told me what happened—you’re lucky she was here! You could have seriously hurt yourself, or even fallen off the ledge!”
Gods, he sounded like their father.
She pushed his hand away and began to stand, though her legs were still a bit unsteady. “I’m fine, Brother. ‘Tis just… residual seasickness, I’m sure.”
Y’shtola stood behind Alphinaud, looking unconvinced.
Alphinaud sighed. “I know this journey means a lot to you, as it does to me, but… I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be here in such a condition.”
“I told you, I’m—”
“Alisaie… You and I both know he has a point, as much as you may loathe to admit it.” Y’shtola chimed in, her arms crossed.
“…’Twould be best for you to go back home, Sister.” Alphinaud put a hand on her shoulder.
“No, that’s—!” That’s not how this is supposed to happen! Alisaie gritted her teeth as her words stuck themselves once again. “…Please, Alphinaud. I promise you I’m okay, I just need some rest. Please.” She grabbed his hand off her shoulder and squeezed it.
“I…” Alphinaud looked conflicted. “…Fine, but if you’re not well in a couple of days, you’ll be going back on the first ship to Sharlayan.”
Alisaie beamed. “Thank you, Brother! You shan't regret this, I swear it!” She almost moved in to embrace him, but quickly remembered that such affection at this strained part of their relationship would be strange, to say the least.
“If that’s settled, then I’ll arrange for a room for you two at the inn. You’d best not do anything else to tick off Baderon, or it will reflect badly on me, now.” Y’shtola grinned and winked at Alisaie, who blushed with shame, before walking off.
The twins followed behind her, but once they reached the Drowning Wench, Alisaie stayed far behind, lest she embarrass herself again. Though she couldn’t hear what was being said at the counter, Baderon laughed heartily at whatever it was.
…Probably about her.
Once enough pleasantries were finally exchanged, Y’shtola gestured over to Alisaie with a key to a room in her hand. Alisaie awkwardly shuffled over, nodding curtly to Baderon as she passed by.
Their room was nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual layout of dressers alongside the two beds. Alisaie immediately kicked her shoes off and faceplanted on one of them.
“I shall leave you to rest, then.” Alphinaud turned to leave, but was interrupted.
“Wait! I…” She quickly sat up. He cocked his head in response. “I just… wanted to apologize for today. I know I’ve been acting as if I’ve gone mad, and I wish I could tell you why.”
“You can tell me, Alisaie.” He walked to her bed and sat on the edge of it. “I’m your brother, after all.”
“No, I—I know! But I—” I’ve been bloody cursed and literally can’t tell you! She sighed. “I can’t.”
Alphinaud looked disappointed for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, then.” He stood back up. “Rest well, Sister.”
“…Thank you, Brother.”