Sirius wandered through the streets and alleys of the world that resembled Final Fantasy XV, scanning every corner for any trace of a vessel suitable for the group. The hunt was meticulous—every dock, every abandoned warehouse, every secluded cove along the coast received his scrutiny. No, nothing. Not even a glimmer, he thought, frustration settling over him like a thick fog.
He crouched near a crumbling pier, eyes tracing the waterline, fingers brushing against the jagged planks. A fast, stealthy ship… something that can evade eyes that see too much. He imagined the five members on board, glancing at each other, ready to leap into action at any moment. But with every location, every harbor, his hopes sank lower.
Hours passed. Dusk bled into night, and Sirius leaned against a rock, muscles tensed but exhausted from the unyielding search. The last warehouse he inspected had been nothing but a hollow shell, its walls riddled with scorch marks and age. Maybe… maybe this world doesn't have what I need, he admitted silently. Perhaps I'll need to look elsewhere. Another world, another possibility.
Reluctantly, he began moving away, the heavy weight of disappointment pressing on his chest. But then… he paused.
Something flickered at the edge of his awareness. A pulse. Soft, almost imperceptible, yet undeniably calling to him. What is this? Sirius tilted his head, sensing a faint vibration in the aether, a whisper buried beneath the noise of the world. Someone—or something—is calling me.
Intrigued, he veered off the path, following the faint, rhythmic pulsing through a jagged canyon that opened into a valley of ruins. Crumbled buildings, shattered walls, and overgrown vegetation bore witness to a long-forgotten calamity. Shadows moved within the wreckage—monsters, drawn to the faint energy of the world.
Sirius didn't hesitate. In a fluid motion, he dispatched them. His blades whispered through the air, each strike precise and final. None of the creatures would live to interfere with what he sought. Patience, patience… just a little closer.
The pulse grew stronger as he approached the center of the ruin. And then he saw it.
Amidst the skeletal remains of what must have been a massive dockyard, half-buried in rubble, lay a ship. Its hull shimmered faintly with residual aetheric energy, but the vessel was inert—powerless, lifeless. Its lights flickered weakly, as if gasping for life.
Sirius' eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, hands brushing against the cool metal. A small orb rested on the deck, pulsating faintly in sync with the ship's weak heartbeat. He reached out, letting his fingers brush the surface. Nothing happened. The orb was unresponsive.
Hmm… its name… he murmured aloud, reading the faint engraving on the hull. "Aetherveil." Aether… veil… Sirius frowned, then realized. Ah… it needs mana.
He closed his eyes and focused, drawing a stream of energy from himself and infusing it into the orb. Warmth spread from his hands, seeping into the metal hull. Slowly, the ship stirred. The lights flickered brighter, the hull hummed with vibration, and Sirius felt the vessel awaken beneath his fingertips.
A voice echoed in his mind—a clear, calm tone that seemed to resonate with the very core of the ship. "Thank… you, stranger."
Sirius smirked, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Finally, someone appreciates a little effort."
The ship's lights pulsed in rhythm, illuminating intricate lines and symbols etched into the deck. Panels shifted, revealing control interfaces that shimmered with prismatic energy. A holographic map appeared, showing several locations in multiple worlds. The vessel wasn't just alive—it was intelligent, aware, capable of guiding its passengers.
Sirius stepped fully onto the deck, feeling the hum of the Aetherveil beneath his feet. The orb floated to him, a sphere of swirling mana that seemed to evaluate his presence. He nodded slightly, extending a hand. Yes… this is perfect. It will carry the five of them safely, undetected, and faster than any conventional means.
The ship responded instantly, a subtle vibration running through the deck, as if affirming the plan. Sirius crouched, pressing a hand to the orb. Destination: prepared. Crew: ready. Energy reserves… sufficient for immediate deployment.
He allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. After weeks of searching, across multiple worlds, sifting through abandoned ports, derelict ships, and hidden coves, he had found what he needed. Aetherveil… the perfect vessel for the anomalies.
Sirius' thoughts drifted to the five members waiting for him—their lives, their deaths, their struggles, and now, the hope of a future together. He could see their faces clearly in his mind: Zack's fiery determination, Aerith's serene focus, Galuf's steadfast courage, Noctis' quiet intensity, and the newest addition, Reks, balancing strength and potential. They deserve this… they deserve every advantage I can give.
The ship hummed beneath him again, as though sensing his resolve. Panels shifted, revealing storage compartments, weapon caches, and hidden chambers designed for training and strategy. The sails of the Aetherveil, crystalline and shimmering faintly in the residual starlight, glinted with the promise of mobility and stealth.
Sirius allowed himself a small smile, almost unheard over the soft hum of the vessel. This will not fail them. Not on my watch.
Finally, he placed both hands on the orb, feeling the connection resonate through his core. A faint trail of aether energy extended from the vessel, reaching across dimensions, ready to guide the five members to its location. Sirius inhaled deeply. It is done. Now… to prepare for the next step.
With a swift motion, he stepped back, letting the ship fully awaken. The Aetherveil's core pulsed, a soft glow spreading along its hull. The orb floated beside him, as if acknowledging his presence and the bond that had formed.
Sirius paused at the edge of the deck, looking out at the ruins surrounding him. The wind howled through the broken landscape, scattering debris and echoing the distant cries of monsters. Yet none of it mattered. The Aetherveil was alive, intelligent, ready.
The crew will be ready soon. And when they step aboard… they will never know the full depth of what they're capable of. But that's the beauty of it.
He smiled faintly, his gaze narrowing as he contemplated the future. Fast travel, stealth, safety… and when the time comes, battle.
With that, Sirius turned, allowing the vessel to guide him as he prepared for the moment when the five anomalies would finally come together. The Aetherveil's lights flickered brighter, responding to his presence, signaling that a new chapter was about to begin.
It's time.