Behind her stood Aldric, with a harrowing item in his hand.
An ivory knife.
The rays of dawn began to litter the roof of the cathedral. Reflecting from each mirror-like window only to be absorbed fully by the black stone walls of the building.
"I have told you everything that you need to know. Satisfied your every curiosity. You know what lies ahead of you, and you do not need me. So please... Fulfill this one request for me."
The obsidian hand shook slightly, knowing the gravity of what it was being asked.
Aldric thought of their long conversation. From night till dawn, they spoke. Like a master teaching their disciple, Alana had relayed everything that she thought that Aldric should have known while also answering any questions that he might have to the best of her capabilities.
From the past to the future.
She had answered many of Aldric's questions. Answers that he likely would not have received for a very long time. Answers that changed a lot of things.
And he had also answered some of hers.
"I've seen how Noctis wants this all to end. Seeing him be so passionate about this path, I had to see it through. And this is the first step."
She continued to speak to him while staring at the statue of her god.
"But don't you have much more to do? Why don't you join us on the march and get involved in the battle? Your people would love to have you lead them into this war. Besides, you need to tell them. The maidens, Cassie, Lapis."
Aldric spoke. While this was always the plan for Alana to fall to the ivory knife, some parts of him wanted to keep their journey going a bit longer.
Turning her head, a small smile formed on her face.
"I... I really appreciate the thought. But I have already sorted all of my affairs. Lapis will take over the Night Temple in my stead. Everyone that should know has been told."
She let out a small exhale.
"I have been holding on for far too long. And on the day that you arrived, I finally saw my end. My death will be the start of it all, signalling to the others that it has begun. You and Cassia know what to do next. Depart tomorrow, and the Nightglade will meet you there in good time."
Seeing her argument for what it was, Aldric knew that this was not the time to talk her out of it. In a way, prolonging her life would only be a form of misery.
Aldric took one of the deepest breaths of his life.
This was different.
This was not a battle against an enemy. The typical high of battle that zoned his thoughts out was not present. And most importantly, this was somebody that he knows.
And while Alana was a part of the nightmare, she felt so real. Just as Thorne and his hunting group did. But deep down, he knew that this act would change him. That killing somebody that he cared for would leave a scar.
'I knew this was going to happen. So why do I feel this way?'
Flashes of his time in the Night Temple rushed through his mind. The occasional late-night conversation, the countless pieces of advice and mentorship. The memories.
Looking at his shaking hand, he did not notice Alana come near him and clasp his hand. Stood in front of him; he was slightly taller than her. But in that moment, she seemed larger than life.
"I understand that this is new to you. You've fought and fought and seen death many times, yet it's never been someone close, has it?"
Her warm touch contrasted against his cold obsidian hands.
"And for that, I'm sorry."
Distracting him with her words, she subtly raised the ivory knife towards her voluptuous chest.
Knowing what was about to happen, Aldric knew that he could not have her bear the brunt of her wish.
'Just how pathetic am I? Shut your mind and meet her desire head-on.'
Tightening his grip, Alana picked up on his resolve and brought her hands down. Clasping her dainty hands into a prayer, she silently closed her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, it was time.
"Thank you for everything, Alana."
And with that, the ivory knife entered through her chest and pierced her heart. Now a mortal, blood began to dye her white dress red.
Stumbling towards the statue of the Goddess, she dropped to her knees.
"Have I ever told you what the meaning of "First-Class Singularity" is?"
She spoke through a bloody breath. The physicality of a Saint allowing her to speak for a short period of time even with her grievous injury.
Aldric knew that his name would have different interpretations. And as for how she knew his real name, it was part of what he had revealed to her.
"Convergence of Origin. You... are the fulcrum that will decide it all."
Her grey eyes glowed in the dark chamber, staring deeply at the statue of the goddess.
With one final bloody gasp, she began to whisper.
"Goddess... Did... Did I do well?"
And in that moment, Alana, Lady of the North, Blessed of the Black Skies, one of the immortal chains of Hope, passed away. With the madness of Hope on the cusp of taking over her mind, she retained the one thing that fuelled her all this time. Her love for her goddess.
[You have slain a Transcendent Beast: Oracle of the Night.]
[Y̷o̴u̶r̵ ̶s̶o̵u̴l̸ ̶g̵r̸o̶w̴s̴ ̴d̶a̸r̵k̴e̴r̶.]
[You have received a memory.]
Dropping to his knees, two cold obsidian fingers closed her open eyes. Taking a moment to watch her peaceful face, Aldric was silent.
Until the sound of the gates opening came from behind him.
In a flurry of movement, all forty-nine of the Night Temple maidens entered the chamber with Lapis leading them. Numb and silent, Aldric stepped back and watched as Lapis wrapped a white cloth around her master. With Lapis in the centre, the maidens formed a giant circle around the resting lady. On their knees, they began to pray. For what, he did not know.
And in the moment that he heard a whisper of tears coming from the blind maidens, Aldric walked out of the chamber and did not look back.
---
"I'm sorry that you had to be the one to do that, Aldric."
Cassie spoke out.
Walking slightly behind the Child of Nether, Cassie saw his wide back. Around her was the open sky, and beneath her was the abyss. They were walking along a giant chain made of an unknown metal. With its size and orientation, the pair walked across it as if it were a road.
"I'm fine. It was something that had to happen."
He responded without looking back.
It was just the two of them. Leaving the Night Temple the day of Alana's passing, they made their way to where they would acquire something important.
It had been a quiet journey. With the days passing by quickly as they traversed more and more terrain. Coming across nightmare creatures was few and far between but dealt with all the same.
And within a week, they were here. On a singular, lone island.
Jumping off the edge of the chain and onto the island, Aldric helped Cassie bridge the small gap.
There was an expanse of vibrant green grass, and some distance away, it made way for the calm waters of a vast lake. Its surface was perfectly still and reflective, making it seem as though a piece of the blue sky above had somehow gotten embedded into the ground.
"So she said that I have to approach the lake and ask for the knife."
Cassie spoke, filling the silence.
"I hope you will be ready to protect me if anything happens."
She spoke out teasingly. Playing the role of the damsel in distress. But Aldric knew she was no damsel.
"Don't worry. I'll be right behind you."
He said as he readied his blade.
This was one of the plans that Alana had spoken about during that night. That Cassie and Aldric would leave ahead of the Nightglade and go retrieve the ruby knife. In her vision of the near future, this would be their next step after her death. In which afterwards, they would head off to the Sanctuary of Noctis.
'It saves us the trip of going back and gives them more time to prepare.'
Alana and Noctis had long been in contact after Aldric arrived with her fate knife. Taking it upon herself to reach out to the Chain Lord that she knew would be the most involved. Besides, they shared a very special relationship.
Walking towards the edge of the tranquil lake, Cassie spoke.
"Hello, I am here for the knife left by Noctis."
Only silence met her request. Until a slow rumbling surfaced from the lake's depths. A cold, white hand that held a long knife, which seemed to be made of congealed blood.
Kneeling forwards despite the sheer terror traversing through her system, she grasped the long knife out of the creature's hand. Just as she did, the white hand retreated into the lake. Only for another one to take its place. Now a black hand, it slowly reached towards Cassie. Caressing her small face gently while the oracle shook in place.
Without knowing the consequence of interfering, Aldric chose not to do anything.
And just as it stopped and retreated, Cassie spoke out.
"Let's go."
In a trauma-stricken voice, she retreated far away from the lake.
"So... creatures have a soft spot for you?"
Aldric said mockingly. A hint of laughter in his tone.
"Shut up!"
Cassie shouted, breaking out of her usually calm character.
---
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
Cassie, adorned in her black maiden garb that had her armour beneath it, knocked on a large wooden door. Stood behind her, Aldric was silent.
They were back to where it all began. Or at least how it was thousands of years ago: the Sanctuary of Noctis.
"Hello! Who do I have the lovely pleasure of meeting today?"
A boisterous voice spoke out as the door opened. Wearing a large red kimono-like outfit, the man looked young and beautiful, with smooth silken skin, high cheekbones, and exquisite features. All with the symbol of a crescent moon drawn on his forehead.
"Sunny! I think your friends are here!"
***
Thanks for reading.
We are back. The cohort is finally back together. RIP Alana. Had me in my feels writing that.
The second nightmare is beginning to reach its climax. Buckle up.
Till the next one.