The Aetherveil drifted silently above the wounded skies of Gaia, its veil cloaking it from even the sharpest eyes below. Inside the recovery bay, the air was heavy with the soft hum of aetheric machinery. Five crystalline pods glowed faintly, each one cradling a battered warrior within.
Aether's voice whispered through the chamber, calm yet unyielding.
"Vital signs… stabilizing. Mana reserves… depleted. Muscular systems… strained. Emotional distress… severe."
The ship's intelligence didn't need to emphasize the last point; Sirius already knew. He stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the pods. His chosen had survived the nightmare, but survival was not the same as wholeness.
He remembered the moment Alexander fell — the white light collapsing into ruin, the city of Alexandria broken in one strike. The memory still echoed, even in him. But for the five who had been down there, amid the screams, the rubble, and the fire… the scars went deeper than flesh.
Sirius let out a quiet sigh. "Their bodies heal quickly… but their hearts…"
---
The first to stir was Zack.
His hands twitched within the glowing chamber, then pressed against the transparent surface as if he were trying to push it open. His eyes fluttered, pupils darting in confusion until memory slammed into him like a blow.
He sat up with a gasp when the pod released him. Sweat clung to his forehead as his breath came fast, eyes wide as though he were back on the battlefield. For a moment, his hand went to his hip, reaching for a sword that wasn't there.
Sirius said nothing. He simply watched.
Zack clenched his fists, trembling, and finally broke the silence. "Damn it… I saw it fall. Alexander—just… gone." His voice cracked, equal parts fury and disbelief. "We fought, we bled, and still… one hit. One hit!"
He punched the edge of the pod, a dull thud echoing in the chamber.
"Zack," a softer voice answered.
Aerith was awake now, stepping out of her own pod, her staff glowing faintly in her hand as if she had clung to it even in rest. She looked pale, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion, but her presence filled the room like a calming breeze.
Her gaze was distant as she spoke. "I tried. I healed everyone I could… but it wasn't enough. The screams…" She shook her head, her braid swaying with the motion. "There were too many. Too much pain. My hands couldn't keep up."
Zack looked at her, his anger fading into guilt. "Aerith…"
But she just gave him a sad smile. "I know. You protected people. I saw you. But the destruction—no matter what we did—it swallowed everything."
---
Galuf emerged next, groaning as he stretched his old bones. The pod had restored his strength, but the lines of sorrow on his face were etched deeper.
He ran a hand down his beard, eyes narrowing as he recalled the sight. "A kingdom, wiped away in a heartbeat…" His voice grew heavy. "It reminds me of home. Of the battles we fought. Of Exdeath. Whole villages… whole lives, lost in fire and shadow."
He clenched his jaw, his usual humor absent. "I thought I'd left that kind of loss behind. But it follows us, doesn't it? Always another kingdom to bury."
Zack lowered his eyes. Aerith squeezed her staff tighter.
---
A faint shimmer of light flickered, and Noctis stepped free of his chamber. He didn't speak at first. His eyes, dark and tired, simply stared at the floor.
Zack tried to break the silence. "Hey, Prince. You okay?"
Noctis didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his words were quiet, almost too soft. "Alexander… guarding its people, standing until the last moment… It reminded me of the Crystal. Of my kingdom. Of the throne."
He looked up, eyes haunted. "And just like my world… I couldn't stop it from falling."
For a moment, no one spoke. The others felt the weight of his words.
Galuf laid a hand on his shoulder. "You carry too much, boy. The fall of one kingdom isn't yours to bear."
But Noctis only shook his head. "I was a king. I should have—"
Aerith interrupted softly. "No one could have stopped that beam, Noctis. Not even Alexander."
The silence that followed was thick, heavy with helplessness.
---
The last to rise was Reks.
He staggered out of his pod, gripping his sword and shield even now, as if he had fought in his dreams. His face was pale, sweat dampening his hair.
He looked at the others, then down at his trembling hands. "The city… it reminded me of Rabanastre. The night it fell. I was there when the Archadians came. The fire, the screams, the rubble crushing people alive." His voice broke. "And I couldn't save them then. Just like now."
Zack reached over, clapping him firmly on the back. "You fought, kid. I saw you. You stood at that gate like a damn wall."
Reks gave a shaky laugh. "And what good did it do? The city still burned."
Aerith stepped closer, her voice warm. "But you saved lives. Every moment you bought, every swing you made—it mattered. Don't forget that."
Reks met her eyes, and for the first time since waking, his trembling eased.
---
The five stood together now, their bodies mostly healed but their hearts raw. The memory of Alexander's wings, shattered in a burst of white light, lingered in all of them. They remembered the sound of the explosion, the cries of the people, the rubble raining down.
Zack broke the silence first, his voice rough. "Next time… next time, we won't let it end like that."
Aerith gave him a faint smile, though her eyes glistened. "We'll do what we can. Together."
Galuf chuckled grimly. "Aye. I'm too old to keep watching kingdoms fall. If it's war we're in, let's make it count."
Noctis sighed, his expression softening just a little. "At least we're not alone this time."
Reks straightened, his hand steady on his shield. "Then let's be strong enough to protect the next city we see. No more helplessness."
---
From the corner, Sirius finally spoke. His deep voice cut through the silence like steel.
"You carry grief well," he said. "Too well, perhaps. But grief alone won't be enough. Remember this night. Remember what it means to be powerless. Let it sharpen you, not shatter you."
The five turned to him, their eyes heavy but resolute.
Sirius' gaze softened. "You are not alone in this. I chose you because you each know the pain of loss. That is what makes you strong. Not invincible—but strong enough to fight what's coming."
Aerith chuckled faintly, despite herself. "There it is again. Sirius, always serious."
The others groaned, Zack rolling his eyes. "Really, Aerith?"
She smiled. "We needed it."
Even Noctis cracked a small smile. Galuf laughed, his deep voice echoing in the chamber. Reks managed a grin too, though his eyes were still damp.
For a moment, the heaviness lifted. Not gone, but carried together.
---
Aether's voice interrupted, calm but firm.
"Warning. Vital signs remain unstable. Physical exertion is not recommended."
The five ignored her, standing straighter, shoulders set.
Zack grinned. "We'll be fine."
Reks added, "We can't sit in beds forever."
Sirius lifted a hand, silencing Aether. "Leave them. They need this. But when they fall again, I will catch them. That is what the trinkets are for."
He turned back to the five. "Rest when you can. The chaos will not wait forever."
The five exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. They would carry their grief, their memories, their pain. But they would also carry each other.
For they had seen destruction — and they had survived.