When the Warrior of Light realized what was happening, she found herself wrapped in darkness. As if she was floating under the drifting depths. She half expected to see that monstrous eye looking right at her once more but this was different.
Right… This was her mind. It felt so dark and cold but she never felt that suffocating sensation from that time before she surfaced. She tried to think back to what happened before it slowly dawned on her. Having fended off that massive monster, she had used up what little strength she had left.
Surrounded by those many people, hearing some strange things come from a man with veins on his face, she just passed out then and there. She didn't have time to lay around, she had to wake… Wake up.
Wake..!
Opening her eyes, she breathed a lungful of air. Her hands ended up gripping her bed sheets hard as she felt her tail shift beneath her. A shaky breath left her lips as she slowly got up, rising from where she lay to get a view of the room she was in. Much to her surprise, she didn't exactly recognize it.
Her bed was on the floor, tucked to the corner of the room where a partition kept her from seeing more of it. The smell of incensed reached her nose as she stared up the ceiling before noticing that the ground was made of straw mats, finely crafted from her perspective.
"Damn it," she hissed as she held her head. It still felt like someone took a rock and bludgeoned her with it.
Still, she had to move, so she slipped off her blanket and sighed. Her hands moved to her body, her clothes and what she wore. A black long sleeved top that went up to her neck were the clothes she were in, along with some dark coloured trousers with her little pockets.
She ran her fingers over the material for a moment before she slowly got up. Walking past the partition, she came across a mirror to which she had a good view of herself.
Au ra.
Those were the words that popped in her mind. That's right, that's what she was. Au ra were a race of people whom bore the scales of black and white, split between the Raen and the Xaela.
The Warrior of Light got a good look at herself, placing a hand on her cheek and running a hand on her front facing horns. Her scales were ivory white, with little cuts and split cracks on them in places that have once been damaged.
Her hair was the colour of snow, unkempt for the moment and unruly from having slept on it. It spilled over her shoulder as her attention turned to her eyes. Oddly coloured with a red eye on the left and a light green on her right, but her limbal rings circling her iris were deep blue.
"Who are you..?" she asked her reflection, reaching out towards it.
BOOM
The Raen tensed, turning around to the sound of Thunder quaking through her room. Was there a storm outside? The sound had managed to wake her fully, giving her senses more time to sharpen. Her gaze turned to the desk nearby and found a peculiar stone.
Yes.
She knew what this was.
The Stone of Memories. Her Soul Stone which allowed her to manifest the strength of those that preceded her. This was the Soul Stone for when she donned the mantle of Dark Knight. Now the stone was unresponsive, a crack split across its surface as she inspected it.
Holding it in her hand, she closed her eyes, the blurry images… Of a man clad in dark armour and a young girl standing by his side appeared within the Warrior of Light's memories. Yes, she recalled their existence but their name and faces…
"Why can't I remember?" she whispered in frustration.
The Warrior of Light grit her teeth as he tried to think but nothing would surface. It was all a dark haze… She knew what things were, where she should be but she recalled nothing of her name or identity, and thinking of people related to her was difficult as well.
Her hand balled into a fist before she caught sight of herself in the mirror. On instinct her hand flew and punched the mirror's surface, cracking it.
It hurt.
This was real. This was all real.
She heard footsteps rushing towards her door… Or where her door should be but a woman soon stepped through what looked like thick curtains and entered her room.
"Oh you're awake! I-" her eyes soon widened at the sight of the mirror now cracked apart, "I-is everything alright?! Are you hurt?!"
The Raen blinked in surprise to find her hand bleeding from what she just did. Words struggled to leave her lips before she finally spoke, "I… No?"
"Please! Let us get some bandages, some healing salves should be available," the woman panicked as she went to a nearby cupboard and took out some bandages.
The woman then forced the girl to sit by the lowered table and on a comfortable pillow. The Warrior of Light stared as she watched her hand be wrapped in bandages before she winced from how tight it was wrapped.
She didn't complain and simply watched the woman sigh after finishing.
"Dear me, that was a fright. Imagine my shock hearing the sound of shattering. And I've grown accustomed to Djose Temple's quaking and thundering too!" the woman said as the Raen stared at her hand, "Still, what forced you to do that, dear? Has Sin's toxins sunk deep into you?"
"Toxin? Djose Temple?" the girl asked.
"Oh dear… Do recall anything? Your name?" the woman stared at the Warrior of Light's face with growing concern.
The Raen's eyes turned to look at her hand. A name… She didn't remember. What did… People call her?
Friend?
Hero?
Defender?
"Adv… ent," the words seemed to spill out of her mouth. She raised her gaze and said, "Advent. You can call me that."
"Advent? What a peculiar name. But that is reassuring. That means the Toxin hasn't erased much of your memories or affected you in any way," the woman said with a warm smile.
"I'm sorry but, Toxin? What do you mean by that?" Advent asked with a confused expression. It's about time she got answers.
"Ah, well… Sin, the creature that was involved in Operation Mi'ihen. It is a powerful entity. Those that come close contact with it, they tend to suffer from grave memory loss and mental degradation. The source of this would be the aforementioned Toxin. I believe that the loss of your memories could be related to that. Yevon willing, there may just be hope for you in regaining them," the woman explained as best she could.
That monster. So it caused this to her?
"I see. Thank you," Advent whispered as she held her head, "How long will I remain this way?"
"There's truly no telling. However, if you find your way and return to the faith, then perhaps Yevon will aid you in the return of your memories," the woman assured with a nod.
Yevon. That name again. She spoke about it as if it was some sort of Deity. Advent felt that she should be careful when asking about that.
"Are you part of a clergy?" the Warrior of Light asked.
The woman nodded once more, "Of course. I am a Nun in service to Djose Temple, one of the places of worship for those following Yevon's teachings. The Operation has caused more than a few of the Crusaders to become injured and with its success we have offered to provide them succour. I believe you have played a role in their safety."
The Raen held her head once more and frowned, "I think so..? I'm glad people are safe."
"Indeed. But do rest for the moment. I will inform of the Priests and the Maesters of your waking. They've been in talks in regard to your action during the Operation," the Nun said as she got up.
Advent's frown deepened, "Maesters?"
"Leaders of our Faith. They guide us in times of turmoil and direct the Temples from St. Bevelle, the Heart of Yevon's teachings," the Nun explained, "All will be clear soon. Please stay here. You will be given meals during your stay."
The woman made a strange gesture with her arms, swaying them in a spiral with both palms facing above and below, only to bow deeply towards the Au ra's way before she left.
Yevon.
Sin.
None of these made any sense to Advent. Still if what the Nun said was true then she saved a lot of people. She held the inert Soul Stone in her hand and rubbed her thumb along its surface. Hopefully these Maesters can give her the answers she wanted.
…..
….
…
There were a few things Advent discovered during her time alone. The first and most important thing was that she was able to store and take objects out from a mysterious rift. All she had to do was will it and somehow she was able to keep track of what the contents of the rift were. There was nothing within what she could describe as her Inventory… Only that she was able to store away her inert Soul Stone at will.
The second thing she discovered was that she was able to call upon another Soul Stone to her will. She recognized it as the Soul Stone of a Samurai, the act of willing it into existence had changed the clothes she was wearing and allowed her a weapon at last.
Advent looked down at the scarf around her neck and the crimson Haori she had as a top. Flowing fabric with sleeves that moved with every minute movement she made. A sense of calm and peace overcame her as she allowed the sensation of the Soul Stone's power course through her.
Something told her that there were more Soul Stones available to her but the Toxin was simply in the way of her recalling. With the power of her Dark Knight's stone gone, she would have to rely on this and hopefully take care not to break it.
Somehow, something told her that she could not slay Sin as she was now.
It was good that she was able to rediscover what she was capable of for the moment since it allowed her to look more presentable when her food was brought in. A sigh of relief left her lips as she began to eat, taking in her fill as she tried to regain her strength.
Advent found herself loving the food and was somehow making mental notes on the taste.
Did she somehow cook in her past?
Once her meal was finished, she was called in to meet the Priests.
Advent got up from where she was and the Nun from before was surprised by her new attire.
"My, where did you find those clothes?" the Nun asked as she stared at the fabrics and the scarf draped around Advent's neck.
"They're mine… Somehow," Advent replied, "I'm still capable of what used to be able to do despite Sin's Toxins."
"You remind me of some fine Crusaders that once passed here. Now, we cannot dally. Come with me to the main hall," the Nun smiled warmly.
CRACK BOOM
Advent stared at the ceiling and watched it quake.
"Is… That normal?" she asked with a wary look, her tail swaying nervously behind her.
"Yes. The Temple is known as the Lightning Mushroom Rock. Normally, the thunderings are an uncommon occurrence. Only when a Summoner is communing with the Fayth deep within the Temple would the rocks split and reveal the Temple's true form… While also calling upon thunder nearby," the Nun explained as she walked through the halls of the Temple.
"Summoner?" that term was at least familiar to Advent. Summoners wielded the strength and powers of the Egi they called upon, they were powerful individuals and foes.
"Indeed. Summoners are those individuals engaging in their pilgrimage. They pray to the Temple's Fayth for guidance and strength as well as the fortitude for the journey ahead. Djose is but one of these temples scattered all across Spira," the Nun said as she glanced at the Raen to make sure she was following, "Worry not, you must have much to ask but they will come in due time."
"I hope so. I dislike being ignorant and unaware… Especially given my situation," Advent replied as she cracked a weak smile.
"Worry not. With time and faith, I believe you will find your memories. If anything, Miss Advent, I will be praying for you as well," the Nun said with a reassuring nod.
Advent was surprised by that gesture and was a little off guard.
No one ever prayed for her before.
"I appreciate it. Thanks a lot. For nursing me as well," Advent replied with a grateful tone.
"Worry not. Oh, we're here. The Priests and Maesters should be here," the Nun said as she stopped and stepped aside.
Advent stepped forward and pushed aside from curtains to find herself in a circular chamber. There was a low hum of a distant singing voice, all over a distinct noise of rushing electricity. There were statues, great and small and a staircase leading to what seemed to be an important room at the far end of the chamber.
A group of men were gathered before the stairs in deep discussion before their attention turned to Advent.
Noises of surprise and awe were muffled from each of the Priests before a familiar man stepped forward with his arms raised.
"So you've arrived. Welcome, dear stranger. Welcome to Djose Temple," a blue haired man spoke, his veined face not marring the handsome features of his visage. He carried himself with an air of nobility and confidence.
"You're… Seymour, right? I remember you from the beach," Advent pointed out as she tried recalling.
"You must speak to the Maester with respect, girl," one of the old priests warned with a frown.
The Nun by Advent's side bowed apologetically, "Please sirs, Sin's toxins have affected her memories. She has yet to fully regain them."
Seymour raised his hand to his colleagues and said, "We may excuse the stranger's actions. While she may have been graced to us as a miracle of Yevon, it seems that she too has not left that fight unscathed. If you may share some understanding for her plight…"
"O-Of course, Maester," the priest bowed.
Seymor smiled and turned to Advent, "Indeed my friend. I am Seymour Guado, Maester of Yevon and leader of the Guado people of Guadosalam. You have given us quite the fright upon you falling unconscious."
"I was… Tired," Advent replied as she stepped forward, "I have questions."
"And I may be able to provide answers," Seymour smiled at her straightforwardness, "But before that, I would like to thank you."
"Me?" Advent blinked in surprise.
"Your actions have not gone unnoticed, My Lady. For your deed, many lives were spared. The Crusaders and our Al Bhed partners have nothing but gratitude. Praise be to Yevon," Seymour made the same gesture as the Nun did… That spiral bowing gesture. It must be a religious thing.
Religion…
The last person that was the leader of a Religion Advent met was not exactly a happy memory. She didn't know how or why but something about Priests and Cardinals annoyed her.
"Now, I have given my name once more, perhaps you could grace us with yours… Though we would understand if you cannot. Sin's toxin has been known to rob the unfortunate of even their own identity," Seymour nodded as he gave the girl that smile of his.
Slimy smile…
"Advent. That is what you can call me by," Advent replied as she met his gaze.
"Advent…" Seymour repeated as if to taste the name. Perhaps she should have just kept her mouth shut… The man nodded before turning to the Priests watching the scene, "I hereby declare Lady Advent to be under the Guado's protection. She will be treated as a distinguished guest of ours for the time being and should be treated with utmost respect for her deeds and actions."
"As you wish, Maester Seymour," the priests intoned as they scattered and spread.
The Guado smiled before turning to the girl, "You will be cared for, My Lady. Rest assured that you will be treated well."
Advent frowned before placing a hand on her hip, "I didn't ask for this."
"Perhaps not… But unseen actors may take keen interest in your circumstances. Better to place you under Yevon's protection before your situation is grossly taken advantage of," Seymour reassured her with his same polite tone, "Now, I believe you have questions for me? Perhaps we could convene within a private sanctum. I'm certain you have much to ask."
Even with all the niceties and politeness, Advent knew one thing despite her memory loss.
Religious Leaders just annoyed her in general…
