What if..... Erik's life turned out the way he deserves.
The modest house was in calm and warm. The old man sitting by the fire rests his eyes in the large plush chair. Something in the distance stirs him from his dreams, foot falls down the road. There was a time where he could have profile the person by the sounds of their steps, now he can barely hear them. He raises from his chair slowly, the crook by his chair his cane of choice. Moving to the engraved wooden door, he opened it and felt great joy. Visitors are rare treasures for the old. He smiled and waved to the women walking down the forest road. One was a midlander, golden hair like his once was, the other a keeper at first glance, though tall, light pink hair. Though one would not think it at first look, there was no denying that these two were sisters.
Returning to his chair he waited for what seemed like forever as they walked down the road to the cottage. Walking in the moved to the old man, both taking a side and giving him a hug, "How are you Papa?" said the Miqo'te. Followed behind by her older sister, "Yes dad, are you alright? That letter seemed... urgent." He smiled, distracted by them, their visits were rare, and only together at Starlight, such a treat, "Um? Oh I am alright. I was just wanting to see you both. Both looked at him suspiciously, Ross was the first to voice it though, "Dad, you never just do something for no reason." Ross was a wise woman, always seeking the truth, aware of so much more then most would think. As beautiful as her mother, she had grown into a success. Her sister was the same, Lenna had grown into a fighter, a leader, taking the reins of a famed military unit in Ul'dah, she was a force to be reckoned with, they both were. "Papa, you cannot get anything by us, now what's wrong?" He did not answer, standing slowly instead. Both women reached out and helped the man take his footing. It bothered them to see him this way, long ago their father had been a legend, one of the many heroes of Ul'dah from his time. He had fought in the Shadow Wars, the Void Conflict, even at the Liberation of Ala Mhigo. Now he stood a crumpled man, their hearts hurt to see him like that.
Slowly he walked to his study, an old feeling room. Paintings of old friends and events littered the wall. Ross stopped near a family portrait, her father holding her hand, as he held Lenna with his other hand, Siha standing behind them, her arms around Erik's neck, Montblanc standing in the foreground. They were so happy in that picture. Lenna was drawn to another picture, the Red Wings, when her father was the Captain. The master archer Kahn'a, the mad genius Askier, Zachary Evans the Berserker of Ul'dah, Osric the Shadow, and so many more.
Both caught in their thoughts, they awoke when their father sat a box on his table. It was small, to big to be a box, but to small to be a chest. He blew dust off of it, coughing uncontrollably for a moment. Once he stopped, raising his hand to halt his daughters' concerned advancement, "I am fine. I have something to give each of you." He opened the box, it was full of things, a spearhead from an old keeper friend, a robe of Halone, books, notes, rings, all sorts of things. From the bottom he drew out a book and a ring, closing the box back and returning it. He sat, winded, "Here we are my darlings." He looked first to Ross, handing her the ring, "This was your grandmother's ring. It is a sigil ring from the House Fortemps in Ishgard. It is very special as there are only three in the whole of Eorzea." He coughed again, harder this time. Both women looked at each other, trading thoughts without words, Lenna spoke then, "Papa, have you been to Doctor Volkov for that cough?" Erik smiled but did not reply, instead he handed her the book. She knew this book, The Demon, Dragon, and the Rose. Both women again looked worried to eachother, these were their father's most valued treasures. "Dad... you're worrying us. What is wrong?" said Ross, fighting hard to hold the tingling in her good eye, desperate not to cry. Lenna only grew angry, then numb, "Papa.... I... Please tell us." He stood, with great effort he walked to each, kissing their foreheads, then returned to his chair by the fire. He waved to them and motioned to the couch across from him.
They talked, laughed, even cried, for hours they sat there. He was still a master of manipulation, that pleased him. The women had all but forgotten their worry. Soon their visit was coming to an end, the sun was setting soon and the forest would be dangerous. There were hugs, kisses on cheeks, smiles and laughter, all to the backdrop of promises to visit more often, topped with "I love you's". He smiled and waved as his children walked down the path, they returning his love here and there until they had moved out of sight. He took one last look, though he was beyond their sight, they were not yet beyond his. When they were gone he shut the door and returned to his chair. "Feel better?" came a voice from long ago. He closed his eyes, a smile creeping over his lips, "Yes. I knew you would come today. I have been feeling this day coming." he said, his voice raspy from the coughing that had been constant these last few weeks. "You were always a few steps ahead of everyone. I missed you." He turned in his seat toward the open door, a door he had shut. In the door stood a young Keeper, her hair as golden as the light that came through the open door with her. He smiled and returned to sitting back in his chair, "And I you, more then you could have ever known." The girl laughed, "I think I may have guessed here and there. But anyway, are you ready?" Erik looked around the cottage, taking it all in. With a deep breath he sighed and nodded, "Yes... I am ready." With no effort he stood, his body young and fit as it ever had been. He walked to the door, to her. Taking her hand he turned back to the old man, asleep in the chair. He then looked into her eyes, taking in her warm smile... he had almost forgotten how warm her smile was. She wrapped both her arms around his arm and pulled, just as he remembered she would. She crinkled her nose then smiled as she pulled him once, "Come on, let's go home." He pulled her back, taking her in his arms, embracing her he whispered, "I am home."
The modest house was in calm and warm. The old man sitting by the fire rests his eyes in the large plush chair.
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