Part I: In Search of Melodies in Ruin

[Xydane Vale]

PROLOGUE

 

Nearly one year later...

 

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Clarielle exhaled deeply as Falorgeant was the first to set foot into Lord Viarre‘s chambers. The elder elezen had his back turned to the duo as his strong features stared quietly outside his window.

 

“And what…" echoed the voice of Lord Viarre. “… brings two dragon hunters from the heart of Ishgard into my presence?”

 

Falorgeant and Clarielle bowed, their cerulean armor shined before what little light bled through the massive decorative window. “You know who we are then, Lord Viarre. I assume you also already know as to why we are here.”

 

Listening, the veteran knight continued to gaze into the emptiness of the snow covered valley before his eyes wandered to his own reflection.

 

Clarielle stepped fourth while Falorgeant began to wander towards one of the many massive bookshelves that decorated the inside of the chamber. “Is it true then? That the brothers did not die? Is it what Ishgard believes or is it what you believe, Lord Viarre?”

 

For a moment, Lord Viarre said nothing and only closed his eyes.

 

“They are not of Ishgardian blood, you see. To this day, we do not know where they came from. When they came to us, they were young… lost… but their strength only proved that they earned a place amongst our own.”

 

“You knew them very well?” asked Falorgeant as he plucked a book from the shelf and quietly skimmed through it.

 

Lord Viarre nodded, his eyes still closed and deep in thought.

 

“You then understand why we must find them. Time is of the essence, Lord Viarre.” said Falorgeant, returning his attention towards the veteran knight before placing the book away.

 

Brushing her hair from her face, Clarielle‘s silver eyes shifted from Falorgeant and back to Lord Viarre. “Darkness descends onto the kingdom. Men of such caliber are needed if we are to win this Dragonso-”

 

“To find them… you must forget the stories. Forget the rumors. Walking in their shoes is simply not enough for they are more than the sum of their actions.”

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

CHAPTER I
 

 

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The Gates of Judgement. The Steps of Faith.

 

The snow was gentle yet thick, slowly descending onto the destroyed rubble that surrounded Farlorgeant and Clarielle. This was the place of a great battle, one which took the lives of both the Dravanian Horde and the knights of Ishgard. Everything here was once scorched and torn asunder but now, only the wind and snow accompanied the once glorious steps into Ishgard. Everlasting, the snow continued to descend, melting onto the hooded robes that layered over the armor of the hunters.

 

"Was this not where they were last seen?" ask Clarielle as she warily watched the skies. Falorgeant was kneeling a few feet away, brushing the snow aside as he continued to inspect the damage on the steps.

 

"I thought you were in the battle as well?"

 

"I was, but not at the steps. I was with others defending the bridge."

 

Clarielle squinted as her eyes continued to scan the gray clouds, her voice hesitant.

 

"Falorgeant, we must hurry. You know the dragons still patrol the skies."

 

Falorgeant said nothing as he stood up and looked to and fro. His eyes scoured the debris but only for a mere moment longer until something caught his attention.

 

"Clarielle?" "Yes?" "Over there."

 

The duo walked to where mountain met concrete and on the western edge was the destroyed face of the cliff. The snow had yet to fully cover the precipice and Falorgeant leaned over, surveying it. "Something fell here and took most of the rock with it," said Falorgeant as he pointed towards the cliff. "A wyrm most likely." Turning to his left, Clarielle was already knelt over and sweeping the white beneath her.

 

"You found something?" asked Falorgeant as he approached her. Clarielle looked up and slightly frowned. In her hand was the remains of a destroyed pendant, ruby in color. The pendant's other half was most likely lost in the wind and snow.

 

"Do you think this was one of theirs?" asked Clarielle as she handed the rosary to Falorgeant. Falorgeant contemplated, inspected the pendant, and then looked back to the precipice. His eyes squinted and he approached the edge of the cliff once more.

 

"Falorgeant? Is something wrong?"

 

Falorgeant shook his head as he quickly tucked the pendant away.

 

"They fell."

 

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In the valley below, the skies trembled with the distant beating of wings all while the snow continued to cascade...

 

... unceasing...

 

... unrelenting.

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

CHAPTER II

 

 

 

Deeper into the cold wastes of the mountains they descended. Into the maws of the mountain they went.

 

Falorgeant bared his teeth at the biting wind that picked up not moments ago. Looking up, Clarielle was only a few feet above him and she too, disliked the weather as the clouds began to weep thick snow once more. As the two elezen continued to climb down, small chunks of rock continued to break away from the flesh of the mountain and drop into the unknown descent. Clarielle looked down and sighed. If she had to choose whether she hated heights or the freezing wind, it would have to be heights.

 

"I don't know how they managed to survive the fall!"

 

"That is why we're climbing down! If anything, we'll be looking for signs of their last known struggle!" Falorgeant shouted.

 

"Perhaps there are corpses? Even so, the dragons would have mo- AH!"

 

The rock beneath Clarielle crumbled and the ground gave way. Her desperate attempt to reach for a grip in the mountain only proved futile as she fell.

 

She closed her eyes and screamed, knowing that she would drop into her own frozen grave. Before she could realize the reality of what happened next, Falorgeant had already grabbed her arm and postponed her death. Clarielle blinked, staring surprisingly at Falorgeant with a hint of relief.

 

"Careful now!" said Falorgeant as he heaved Clarielle to his position. "Today is not yours."

 

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Clarielle's scream echoed through the mountain.

 

Even in the agile wind, the outcry brought itself into the acute hearing of a slumbering spawn of the Dravanian Horde. Golden eyes slowly opened... golden and heartless eyes.

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

CHAPTER III

 

"This wind is finally clearing!"

 

Pulling off his hood, Falorgeant exhaled a short breath of relief. They were off the mountain but the danger was far from over. While Falorgeant moved ahead to scout the misty gap of the mountain, Clarielle slowly followed behind. Gently brushing her fingers against the stone, Clarielle lifted her head to admire the impressive height in which they descended. How careless she was, she would think to herself. Shaking the small thought away, Clarielle turned to resume Falorgeant's trail until a small breeze forced her to turn around once more.

 

'A breeze... at the foot of the mountain?'

 

She stopped and stared into the mists, her eyes searching thoroughly.

 

"Clarielle? Over here!"

 

Again, she was brought back to reality by the distant shouting of Falorgeant. She turned and walked, her senses heightened while she moved to Falorgeant.

 

Clarielle blinked, her eyes going wide at what she saw.

 

 

 

Next to where Falorgeant was standing was the massive corpse of a dead dragon, it's body crushed into the bottom of the mountain itself. The corpse was covered in cuts and bruises while it's crowned head laid broken and a wing was sliced in half. Plunged into the scaled hide of the wyrm...

 

... was an axe and a halberd.

 

Both weapons were rusted, chipped, and battered by time for they had seen better glorious days. They were now monuments to a forgotten battle at the bottom of a mountain.

 

Falorgeant slowly stepped forward, his tone quiet while he gradually reached for the hilt of the axe. Falorgeant grabbed tightly but instead of pulling the weapon free, he simply held on to it and quietly chuckled.

 

"These were theirs, Clarielle. These were the weapons of the Vale Brothers."

 

Clarielle too stepped forward to see the weapons imbedded into the beast. Her eyes shifted from the broken steel to the man before her, and the gleam of nostalgia that rested on the slight curve of his lips confirmed the fact…

 

"So... it is true. They both survi-"

 

 

In the small moment where fate met reality, Clarielle's words were cut short by the distant approach of a monstrous bellow. The hunters turned and gazed as the mists behind them blended into shadow and shape. The mists swirled in the air and danced like water until a pair of wings spread outward. The dragon's head eerily came into view and the beast's bloodshot golden eyes stared into the elezen with an unforgiving lust of hunger.

 

"A dragon!? Of course!"

 

The dragon reared it's head and roared. Falorgeant grinned and turned to Clarielle, slowly nodding as he tore the cloak off his armor. Clarielle followed suit.

 

In a brilliant display of cerulean, Falorgeant and Clarielle waved their weapons gracefully in the air as the wyrm slowly advanced.

 

"Come, Clarielle! In the name of the Fury, we shall add another Dravanian corpse at the foot of Ishgard! Let this beast taste the might of the Dragoons!"

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

CHAPTER IV

 

 

The dragon raged fire from it's mouth and lunged at the Dragoons. Falorgeant and Clarielle took to the air, dodging the dragon's initial attack. Both elezen roared furiously as they hurled themselves onto the dragon's back to connect flesh with steel. The attacks failed as the Dragoons are swiped away in opposite directions from the wyrm's wings. Slamming his back against the wall of the mountain, Falorgeant fell face first as momentum took over. Clarielle, however, was lucky enough to catch herself on the ground after flying mid-air.

 

Falorgeant spat, stood up, and swung his weapon as he leaped into the sky once more. His cool demeanor helped his attack to become more focused and he brought his spear down like a comet. The bladed tip sunk deep into the dragon's back and the beast bellowed in pain and fury. It shook, stomping from side to side as it attempted to dislodge the Dragoon from it's back. Clarielle sprinted forward and using the beast's distraction to her advantage, she slid beneath the dragon and sunk her own weapon into it's soft under belly. The dragon buckled, spitting fire from it's mouth while it swayed from side to side. One spear into the back and the other into the belly.

 

Though skilled they were against dragons, the unpredictability of a beast entangled in pain and anger still managed to prolong their victory. Falorgeant ripped his weapon free just as the dragon succeeded in bucking him off; the creature surrounding itself in flames as Calarielle rolled out from beneath it. The wounds it suffered had weakened it immensely, leaving it little choice between fleeing and fighting. As the two Dragoons approached the wounded beast, they easily dodged the sloppy flames that poured from its mouth. Clarielle rushed it, calling its attention as she swung at the talons slamming down towards her. With the distraction in play, Falorgeant closed the distance between him and the dragon, making one last leap towards their victory. Aiming his spear onto the beast's head, he descended with such speed that once the weapon punctured into the dragon's skull, it sunk through and came out from underneath the dragon's lower jaw. The ground shook on the impact of the dragon’s demise and as the blood gushed from it’s lifeless body, Falorgeant yanked his weapon free.

 

The Dragoons are a living demonstration of those skilled in the slaying of wyrms. This was truly the might of Ishgard's arsenal and a spear point against the Dravanian Horde. The fight only lasted a matter of minutes and already the beast's body began to stiffen in the freezing temperature.

 

 

The Dragoons had turned their backs to what they deemed as a mere nuisance. Grabbing both of their cloaks from the ground, Falorgeant handed Clarielle hers before placing on his own to cover himself from the snow. The fabric also hid the dripping blood that had splattered over his armor during the fight.

 

Falorgeant returned his concentration back to the brother's kill, walking towards the corpse once more as he inspected the area in which it laid.

 

"There has to be more indicators. There are no bodies here at all."

 

Clarielle was now kneeling over, examining the head. "Not that I care, Falorgeant, but this one did not claim clean strikes. It must had been quite the battle."

 

Falorgeant couldn't help but slightly grin at the woman's statement. "Tell me, do you see anything else?"

 

"Only pieces of scattered armor. It must have been theirs as well."

 

"So are these tracks."

 

"Tracks? Where?"

 

Falorgeant pointed to footprints where the snow hardly covered, underneath a towering rock formation. What made them stand out wasn't the tracks sunk into the snow but the dried color of maroon.

 

"So they were injured. Noticed how one pair of prints have no other indication of a footprint but rather, more droppings of blood? Whoever this belonged to, I can say for certain, was dragging his feet."

 

For a period, both elezen continued to follow the tracks until it finally disappeared into the white snow. They stopped and stared west as to where the trail leads into an open canyon.

 

"Western Coerthas? Why would they..."

 

Clarielle paused and turned to Falorgeant with a slightly confused look on her face.

 

"If they were injured, they could've made their way back to Ishgard for aid. Why west?"

 

For a long moment, Falorgeant said nothing as he took the woman's words into his own cycling thoughts. His eyes widen and his tone was softer than usual.

 

"Because that's where they came from. Perhaps..."

 

The male Dragoon gazed quietly into the distant opening of the canyon where the hills and snow were less harsh and the skies were clearer.

 

"... they may have gone home."

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

CHAPTER V

 

A few days later...

 

Lord Viarre stared outside his window as he has always done when he wanted to think. In a time long ago, he would gaze outside to admire the beauty that is of Coerthas and Ishgard despite the deadly nature of both weather and beast. He once thought of beauty but now, it was just a time for thinking. His old features forced a slight frown as an attendant made her way into his chambers.

 

"Lord Viarre? The Dragoons from Ishgard requests council with you. They say it pertains to their search?"

 

Lord Viarre's face quickly lightened up, his frown disappearing as he turned to walk down the steps from his desk while the afternoon sun shined in and dust particles floated gracefully.

 

"Ah, yes. Let them in."

 

With a quick bow, his attendant disappeared outside the chamber and into the hallway. Lord Viarre stood quietly with his fingers interlocked behind his back. The plated armor of the Dragoons sounded their approach as they came into view from the hallway. Falorgeant and Clarielle entered and bowed low; Lord Viarre gestured quickly for them to rise.

 

"So... what news have you?"

 

Falorgeant looked to Clarielle and nodded before he returned his attention back to the veteran knight. "We found proof, Lord Viarre, proof that the Vale Brothers are still alive."

 

"And what did you find?"

 

"Underneath the mountains that surround Ishgard to the west was the body of a dragon. The weapons that each brother was known to wield was buried deep into the dragon's flesh. It seemed that during the Dravanian attack, the brothers and the dragon fell down the cliff."

 

Lord Viarre only nodded and continued to patiently listen.

 

"In the middle of our search, a dragon ambushed us from the mists. The dragon itself was destroyed and only served as a nuisance to our investigation."

 

"It wasn't until after the fight that we discovered tracks - dried blood, Lord Viarre - that seemed to lead west outside of the mountain gap and into the open canyons. From the looks of the footprints, one of the brothers was injured but we are certain they survived."

 

Lord Viarre inhaled deeply and exhaled a breath of relief. "This is... good news indeed. I never believed their deaths. I prayed to Halone but I continued to worry. Your search; however, has finally granted me peace of mind."

 

Falorgeant and Clarielle looked to Lord Viarre slightly puzzled. Clarielle crossed her arms to comprehend the older elezen as she readied the question that both Dragoons had been meaning to ask.

 

"Lord Viarre? We knew that... you had known the Vale brothers for a time. May we ask what your relation was to them?"

 

Hearing Clarielle's question made the Lord frown and his eyes slowly drifted to the ground. He turned his back to the Dragoons and slowly made his way toward the massive decorative window which had always been a place to gather his thoughts. Lord Viarre exhaled again but this time, his breath carried a hint of sorrow.

 

"Many years ago, when Marcus Vale stumbled into Coerthas, he ran across a knight by the name of Ser Joellaut*. Joellaut had been wounded by a wyvern and using a broken spear, Marcus killed the beast and thus saved Joellaut's life. Ser Joellaut and another knight known as Sigmund the Red* served a young Inquisitor named Maulcrioux*. Out kindness for the lost young man, Maulcrioux offered Marcus another chance at life by swearing fealty to him as a knight. Two winters later, Marcus' younger brother Xydane would also be admitted to knighthood and service to Ishgard."

 

As Falorgeant and Clarielle listened, their expression softened.

 

"Maulcrioux saw potential and he was right. The brothers grew older and they became fine knights indeed, even earning quite a fierce reputation as well. You see... Maulcrioux was my son... and he was murdered almost two years ago. Ser Sigmund the Red and Ser Joellaut had also died in service to Ishgard. The Vale brothers are a living memory to my son."

 

Falorgeant's mouth was slowly agape as he tried to find meaningful words to say. Nothing came out and he was astonished from the story. Instead, he closed his eyes and bowed.

 

"I thank you for telling this story. It had always been a mystery to many of us as to the origins of the Vale brothers. I also grieve for your lost, Lord Viarre."

 

"It seemed like a lifetime ago."

 

"They all served Ishgard proudly. I... want to think that in the end, it's what all of us want."

 

"Yes. In the end."

 

And with the words said and done, Falorgeant and Clarielle turned to leave, their figure disappearing outside the room. Lord Viarre exhaled yet again for the news of the Vale brother's survival brought comfort into his aching soul. As the dusk particles continued to float in the room, so too did the light. On the other end of Lord Viarre's chambers was a single large painting hammered into the cobblestone wall. The painting was the group portrait of three young elezens - Maulcrioux, Sigmund, Joellaut, and two younger hyurs - Marcus and Xydane Vale.

 

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* For those of you familiar with Xydane's stories from the past, you would remember Maulcrioux, Joellaut, and Sigmund from the RP and story events of 'The Faces of Mercy,' 'Day to Day' - the rescue of Erik Mynhier, and the RP event 'Thunder in the Heavens.'

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale

[Xydane Vale]

EPILOGUE

 

The next day, somewhere in Ishgard...

 

Questions have become answered for Falorgeant as leaned against the wall crenulations, some of hundreds that protected Ishgard itself. The skies were clear of clouds and the distant stars marked the coming of nightfall. He crossed his arms and gazed into the sky quietly until his thoughts were interrupted by Clarielle's approaching footsteps.

 

"So, what happens now?"

 

"For now, we shall wait."

 

"Do you think they'll return?"

 

Falorgeant gestured in agreement. "They won't leave what they started. Ishgard is already at war, Clarielle. We had already opened our gates to outsiders for aid. When they return, we will seek them out. They are still much use to us."

 

Clarielle exhaled deeply, wrapping her body with her own arms as she joins Falorgeant in star gazing. "Let's hope so."

 

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In a distant land, far away...

 

 

 

The midday sun granted warmth to green fields under azure skies as a cool breeze brushed onto the land with grace and care. The leaves of an old oak tree gently moved as the wind fondled them delicately, shading two memorials.

 

Kraven Vale

Son, soldier and loving father. His time in Hydaelyn was nothing but service to his people and his family.

 

Amelia Vale

Daughter, botanist and affectionate mother. Her time in Hydaelyn spreaded noting but laughter and joy.

 

Standing in front of the memorials was Marcus and Xydane, their expression weary and their hair aged much like the look in their steel colored eyes. Quietly looking at the memorials of their parents while the wind caressed their hair, Xydane finally spoke. His voice too, had aged in tone.

 

"How... long has it been?"

 

"Seven years."

 

Marcus turned his gaze towards the ever expanding green fields of grass. Amazing how even when their home was destroyed, the land itself seemed unscathed throughout the years. That was the only thing that recovered but still, there was nothing left here. Nothing but memories of another life long forgotten. It was quiet; nothing more, and nothing less.

 

"This will be our last time visiting them. Visiting this... place."

 

"I know. Marcus?"

 

"Yes?"

 

"You know as well as I do that we do not deserve any of this. Our path to the seven hells had already been paved years ago."

 

"That is exactly why we can never return."

 

Both brothers knelt down, touching the marble memorials with metal claws black in color. Slowly, Xydane was the first to rise. "There is... one last place I would like to visit."

 

"Of course."

 

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To Xydane, the pier and the lake seemed to be fantasies he would dream every night after he left. Now, the light reflecting off the lake tore deep inside his soul for it was still very beautiful.

 

As were the roses and flowers that decorated the memorial of his love.

 

Rose Leon

The life of her people, loved and adored. A beauty that has left too soon.

 

Quietly, Marcus stood a few feet behind his brother in respect.

 

"Do you remember when we first met? I still do. It's... strange. There is... a girl I had met, Rose. She looks just like you and I would like to think it's still you. Her name is Clover."

 

On one knee, Xydane leaned over the tombstone to tenderly kiss it. For a short moment, he rested his forehead on the memorial before rising back onto his feet.

 

"Forgive me, Rose. Forgive me for everything. This... is our final goodbye."

 

What was once real to the Vale brothers was now hollow as they walked away. When they first left, they had lost everything. When the brothers finally returned, they had gain something entirely.

 

 

"This war... awaits us. We start with the dragons and then the gods themselves."

 

The light reflected much more onto what the brothers wore. The land in which they once called home began to weep in horror at the two atrocities. Armor that was black as the deepest grave and red like the warmest gore. Where gloves should wrap around hands for comfort were claws that were cold, sharp, and cruel. Greaves were jagged and shoulder plates were forged in disturbing fashion. Continuing to tread down the dirt road, Marcus and Xydane placed on helms that were disquieting in nature - helms that screamed with hate and destruction.

 

Into the darkness of the forest, they disappeared.

 

"Come, brother. Let us water the fields with the crimson blood of our enemies. Together... we will destroy everything. Together... we shall tear the world asunder."

 

[THE END]

Edited February 19, 2021 by Xydane Vale