#Zee lore post

[zeloinator]

ENDWALKER ~~~~~ (~2.5 YEARS)

(Obviously will contain Endwalker spoilers below the read more ♥)

this was supposed to be a short and quick write up but... here we are~

Sailing for a Better Tomorrow; The preparations were done quickly, Tataru wishing the large group of Scions, and a Fae King in their doll body, safe travels as Zee and her companions set off towards Old Sharlyan. A long journey in a packed ship, and a familiar voice echoing her mind whenever Zee starts to drift to sleep. G’raha, urging Zee to get some air, pushes Zee to the top deck, where Zee is met with Hydaelyn. Face to face for the first time. Knowing that she is the second of all Primals, Zee approaches her cautiously, but the Ancient only gives her truths she would not have been able to handle before now. Hinting towards events Zee cannot and will not know for some time, Hydaelyn bids Zee to behold Sharlyan with her Traveler’s eyes just as they are sailing to port. In perfect time as her companions awaken and surround her. Immigration went smooth enough, Ell almost getting into a fight with the officer when she assumed Ell was still going by her deadname, but it was an easy misunderstanding to fix with a few changes. Ellaeuxlynn never expected to be coming “home” after running away in her late teens. Even more so when her Mother reacted horribly to her disappearance. But she was here to work on her new aetheric manipulating prosthetic she had been working on for the better part of 2 years, and there was no way her Mother was going to keep her from her passions any longer. Even if that meant the very real possibility of running into her family. Wanting to support Ell for as long as Zee could, she stayed in Sharlyan before heading to Thavnair. While working with Alisaie to gauge the citizens’ reactions to the current events the two figure out that Gleaners could be their in on the information they needed. But they still needed to get to Labyrinthos first.

Stars in the Labyrinth; Talking with several Gleaners in the living library of Labyrinthos, a certain Viera catches Zee’s eye. She had a gut feeling he knew more than he was letting on, and there was a certain draw she felt to him. A feeling of, ‘oh, it’s you’, filled to the brim with affection she couldn’t place from where it came. He was curt and short with her at first, the exhaustion of his schedule plain on his face. But it wasn’t long until Erenville had softened a bit, after some work from Zee to help ease his burdens. A meeting which Zee couldn’t help but feel was fated somehow. Krile’s headache interrupts Zee’s wandering thoughts when she almost collapses again. Yet they were bound to meet again, this time Zee helping Erenville with a hornbill capture and getting rewarded with some trust. While he has no concrete answers Erenville provides some information he does have; that of the fauna. Stumbling across a small patch of ‘heartbloom’ flowers Zee is drawn to them. A botanist explaining their reaction to the emotions of the workers who pass by. A flower Zee had never seen in person, but had been filling her dreams for years now. Krile too was also drawn to the heartbloom. She was lost, staring into the heartbloom patch with such intensity Krile missed Y’shtola’s plan. A plan Zee very much did not care for, but seemed to be their only way to get information without dragging anyone else into their mess. Zee very much did not expect to get turned into a frog for said plan; an animal Zee has dearly beloved her whole life. Though one she was not perfect at replicating its behaviors. Erenville immediately spots them and figures out it is none other than Zee. His sparking affections for Zee showing. Finding Krile to tell her of their new information, Zee has a surprise audience with Hydaelyn via Krile. She gives Zee a heartbloom she infused with aether to keep from wilting as Hydaelyn begs her to walk free and let the bloom be her guide. Zee is as much a beacon as the flower. But their quiet moment was still too short and too cryptic for her to understand yet, and when Fourchanault shows up intent on kicking them out their small celebration ends in bitterness. Alisaie and Alphinaud fuming with fury as their father drags them in front of the forum for their alleged ‘crimes’. They are not kicked out from the island, but their snooping is halted by a forum vote. With her work in Sharlyan forced to a standstill Zee spends a couple of days resting and testing some of Ell’s new prototypes before a surprise visitor showed up. Erenville, breathless and looking exhausted, asked if Zee would grab a coffee and dinner before she left on her next stop for information. He desperately wanted to know more about this “Hero of Eorzea” and her more human side.

Land of Rainbows; Becoming a test subject for non-attuned Aetheryte travel was not on Zee’s list of things to expect, and certainly not the violent aether sickness that came with it. Huddled together on a bench, Love Bird, Thancred, Urianger, and an unaffected Queer Leaflet waited out the nausea and dizziness together. That is until Thancred remembers a note from Krile. A note specifying to not leave Estinien on his own as he is horrendous with coin. Zee saves him from paying nearly ten times the price on some lassi drinks before Estinien disappears again to pay 10,000 gil for a hair tie. Zee, giving up on monitoring him, wanders the town talking with and helping some of the locals. Matsya, a local fisherman, and Zee work together to try and sell his fish, Zee gaining a better understanding just how dire things are with no merchants coming or going from the island. Escorting Matsya to The Great Work to make sure he stays safe from the towers tempered, Zee and her companions meet Nidhana and Varshahn. Estinien is pulled away by other workers to delve his brain for his dragon knowledge, and Zee is left to assist in Nidhana’s alchemical research. In turn Nidhana tells Zee about the history of their island and their satrap. With Zee and her companion’s help Nidhana and her alchemists are able to complete their strongest talisman prototype to date! Though they still need to be put to the test of protection against tempering. During the testing Fandaniel kidnaps Nidhana, and Zee, unable to go after him properly, retreats to inform the others. Varshahn escorts them to Raz-at-Han while other talismans are crafted for Nidhana’s rescue. There they meet with Ahewann, the satrap, an Au’ra that reminded Zee of her father and her older brothers immensely. Estinien, on the other hand, can tell something was being left unsaid, and Ahewann reveals Vrtra behind the curtain. The dragon and Ahewann reveal more history of Raz-at-Han and Thavnair, and that Ahewann is but a figurehead for Vrtra’s will. With their goal, and needing to be quick with it, Zee and her companions head back to Old Sharlyan to gather a group to storm the Tower of Zot with. Luckily G’raha manages to teleport everyone out of the tower as it begins to fall following its core’s destruction. Coming to on the shore of the tower’s island surrounded by numerous unconscious Matanga, Nidhana among them, and G’raha. Safe and relatively unharmed from a glance they are left in the care of the alchemists as Zee returns to Raz-at-Han. Nidhana teaches Zee about the presence of ‘Akasha’, an emotional magic completely separate from Aether. ‘A gift bestowed from on high’ according to Nidhana. With the heartbloom’s now brilliant yellow coloring and a new insight on something that felt so familiar to her, Zee is sent to rest by her friends. With a little time for recovering Zee goes out on a limb and reaches out to Erenville to spend some time together. An offer that Erenville jumps on. In Zee’s short time away he often found himself lost in thought about wanting to know the person behind the Hero, and with Zee’s ask to spend some time together in Sharlyan, it was a perfect time to attempt just that. While he is unable to avoid work, Erenville tends to the fauna he is needed to capture before retiring at night to spend the bells talking with Zee. The two often found themselves the last at the Last Stand, frequently going back to Zee’s room for more conversation until the morning. A schedule the two got very familiar with… until Zee’s next leg of her adventure came calling for her. As much as Erenville was loath to admit, he was falling fast, and Zee was doing the same. 

Introduction to the Snow; Their next destination, Garlemald, to help the people escape the tempering and the war, knowing full well they would not be welcomed by the people. At the meeting in Ala Mhigo Zee is overcome with emotion as she sees the sheer number of people from all over that came to help. Seeing Lyse so comfortable in her leadership position was a comforting sight for Zee, it had been an age since they last spoke one-on-one in person and Zee craved to know what Lyse had been up to. Zee had many… reservations… for going into Garlemald. They killed her entire family, everyone she had ever known in her past lay dead and rotting due to Garlean hands, but she knew she could not let her hatred make her ignore the Garlean people’s suffering. Lucia, Maxima, Cid, even Nero when he wants to be, had all been nothing but understanding for her wariness of them until they grew to know and care for each other. Though Zee had never revealed her past to them, it was obvious to those from Garlemald that Zee had been irrevocably hurt by their government. Sadu and her wife Cirina’s attendance did comfort Zee a little bit, the two being the only people she had ever told bits of her past to, and Zee couldn’t help but be excited to fight alongside the two women she trusted most. With the hopes of aiding the people of Garlemald Zee and her comrades make their way, with a hefty grouping of helpers from all over the star, to the snowy lands. A gift from Tataru being a large cozy coat to wear whilst in the frigid lands. Encountering several tempered troops on their way to the abandoned outpost they would call home for a time. As always, Sadu and Zee fighting together is a sight to behold. Though they had to hold back, Sadu was clearly thrilled to battle by the side of her wife and girlfriend. Needing to treat the tempered imperials they officially rename their new base Broken Glass - Lucia’s suggestion. Zee has an unexpected hiccup, only truly finding out the extent of it when she is able to sit for a second. Her leg prosthetic had begun to break in the cold. Several sections of metal had snapped during their fight with the tempered imperials with another few sections looking ready to snap at a moment's notice. Ell had luckily decided to join in on their trip, so Zee was able to hand over her leg for some quick and dirty repairs. There would be no way she would be able to do what was needed of her without her leg, so Love Bird was forced to take over some of her duties while she waited for the repairs. It was a fairly quick fix, though a temporary one as the metal would probably continue to be damaged by the climate. But it gave Ell an excuse to delve even more into her project; a prosthetic that would draw ever so slightly from Zee’s aether and would travel the prosthetic like veins, allowing for Zee to use it as a focus in emergencies, and allow the materials to stay warm and malleable to what Zee’s needs were. In Sharlyan, Ell had managed to get help on her biggest hurdle, the ‘vein’ the aether would travel through, and a venting system for releasing excess heat safely. Now she needed to begin new prototypes. Though materials would be the most difficult for Ell to source in Broken Glass she was quick to send Queer Leaflet back to Sharlyan with another friend to pick up the needed materials. Queer Leaflet needing to return anyroad as their joints had started to freeze up in the snow.

With Zee’s hastily repaired leg good enough to walk, she, Love Bird, and the twins spot a woman. Giving chase they follow her to a small mansion with a handful of other Garlean citizens. At first they are wary but accepting of the help they give, though that changes fast when Zee and Alisaie are sent to get ceruleum. When they return to a suspiciously silent home, with no Love Bird or Aliphinaud in sight, they find Love Bird unconscious in the snow and a lightly injured Alphinaud with 3 of the citizens. That is when the Garleans show their true colors; cursing them and telling them the woman and her sick sister are better off with the beasts than with their help. It took everything in Zee not to lash out, to prove these idiotic, brainwashed, people correct in their fear and hatred. They feared exactly what they would do to other people. Enslave them, slaughter them, grind them into paste under their own boots. Zee wished she could grab them and scream in their faces, these brainwashed people who would rather die than believe other people are more than the savages they say they are. And that is how Zee and Alisaie find the two women; Dead. Yet all Zee could see were the bodies of her family in their faces. For the first time in years Zee lost herself in her anger and sorrow, Alisaie and Alphinaud hugging her tightly as she screamed into the silent, snowy night. It wasn’t until the bodies were buried that the haze of emotion cleared from Zee and they were able to return to Broken Glass.

Not long after arriving a thief is caught attempting to steal supplies, Julius. He brings Zee, Alphinaud, and Alisaie back to his base to attempt to make a treaty with his commander. Zee is not thrilled to listen to some rich bastard spout off falsehoods, and when the commander holds them hostage her fury grows even brighter. Quintus is exactly the person she could see having murdered her whole family, and when he collars them in shock collars she’s barely able to control her emotions. They treated her like a rabid dog, and she felt like one. Alphinaud and Alisaie were content to wear them at least. Julius, acting as their warden, was shaky when addressing Zee now, her status as the ‘Champion of Eorzea’ frightening him more than Zee expected. The people she spoke to were either just as frightened or furious with her, or near frozen. Julius brings them outside of the station to search for some ceruleum, luckily they were successful in finding a bit of the fuel. Returning to Quintus’ instruction to refill their armor over refueling the heaters. Julius returned from his commander's war council to inform Zee that the twins are now their prisoners. Rage burns hot in her chest once again when she is forced to leave the twins with those who could have murdered her family, her past. While Julius comes across as a kind person, every fiber of Zee’s being could never trust him again, not after he decides his own people are worth less than defying his commander. Him forcing her to tell the warmongering soldiers their command phrase cemented Zee’s contempt for Julius. She would still put up effort to maintain an air of kindness towards him, but that was all she could muster. This was hard enough on her, watching the twins get taken away, allowing it… even encouraging them to go with them, it was eating her alive. Yet she knew she had to set aside her hatred for the soldiers. They did not know what she did. They could not know it. But they also refused to see that the slaves they steal from other lands as a moral wrong. Zee had to play nice. Despite it all. When Julius took her to his destroyed home and recounted his story with her, her flame of hatred dimmed ever so slightly. But it would never go out. She was not one to hold a grudge, or she had thought that for many years now. The trauma of her entire life, her entire family, being put to flames by these people who claim it as true peace were etched into her bones. There could be no erasing. But she would still help them. With blood in her mouth and hatred in her heart she would help all the same. 

.  No one should be silenced…

Coming Together; With Quintus’ death, and the Xth accepting help from the Grand Company of Eorzea, finally the people of Garlemald begin to believe they are there to help. Though Zee was still struggling to interact with Garlean soldiers, she went to work quickly on helping cook food for everyone. She was doing everything possible to not lash out at these people, and to pour her emotions, both negative and positive, into her cooking was as at-home as she had been since arriving in these hostile lands. Seeing the people from all over the star come together to help those who were their enemies not too long ago settled Zee’s heart slowly but surely. Warm food, a warm bed, and the company of those earnestly trying to help acted as a balm for the burning of her heart. It was not fair to hold these people accountable for her family, her home. She would never know who was truly responsible for their deaths and her home village burning, but Zee decided she would put the blame squarely on Emet-Selch. A man which stirred a storm of varying emotions in Zee; hatred, a tenuous trust, even a strange love. Zee was ripped from her thoughts when the Tower of Babil begins to temper those without the talismans. And Fandaniel whisks her away from her companions.

Wrong… Everything is Wrong; Coming to in an unfamiliar place Zee finds herself in a strange body at the table with Zenos and Fandaniel. Her first hint that she was not in her body; she could feel her toes… All her toes. She had not been able to feel all her toes in nearly 13 years. A poor, tempered, soldier was her prison. Never in her wildest fears had Zee thought Zenos would rip her soul from her body and imprison her in another’s body. Fandaniel pranced around the room as Zenos made his intentions plain; she is the Hero to save the people he has destroyed, he the villain there to push her to her very limits and then surpass them. When Zee had shown him her Blood Lily Rage, the way she loses the parts of herself that hold back, Zenos had craved nothing more than to experience it again. A guiding star in his heavens as he clawed his way back from death. And he wanted to know how it felt. When Zee realized his plan, to inhabit HER body, it was too late. In this soldier's body Zee gives chase, a slow and horrendously painful experience. She had nothing, no familiar weapon, no magic, and her friends needed her now more than ever. Stealth had never been a strong suit of hers, and she needed to throw herself head first into it now. In her attempts to make it to Camp Broken Glass she comes across untempered imperial citizens, unable to abandon them to their deaths she stays to fight, getting knocked unconscious for a short while before awakening and using her last ilms of strength to desperately crawl towards her companions. She had to make it there before Zenos did anything with her body, most of all using her magic to harm her loved ones. Fistfuls of snow and ice, the cold seeping into this body's very bones, Zee pulled herself along. Panic set in as she caught sight of herself. Zenos meandered slowly up the path, slowly but still much faster than she was able to desperately crawling. As her last act of desperation she flings her sword praying it parried Zenos’ reaper avatar’s attack, and it did. The soul transfer had nearly run its course when Zee threw the soldier's body against her own. Awakening in her own body once again, surrounded by her closest friends and companions, Zee begins to sob. Sadu and Cirina stayed by her side as she recovered from the horrid experience. But there was no time for her to gather herself. Forcing herself to press forward after a short rest, Zee enters the Tower of Babil after burying the soldier's body she inhabited. He had been long dead, or at least the Scions all hoped that was the case. It is time for the suffering wrought by Garlemald to be put to an end. 

Beyond the Sky;  Defeating the primal Varis had turned into was not so simple as to stop Zenos and Fandaniel’s plans. With the aether they sciphoned from all across the star Fandaniel opens a path to the moon, intent on breaking Zodiark’s chains themselves. Leaving the Scions to care for Garlemald and its people, Zee chases after Zenos once more. Into the sunless sea, farther than she has ever gone before. Upon her arrival she is met by an Ancient shade, identical to those she met in Amaurot, calling to her as ‘Hydalyn’s Champion’. The shade Zee thought was calling to her dissipated on touch, the distant voice echoing in her mind once again, guiding her to the building nearby. A brilliant hall with walls filled to the top with crystals of all types. And at the top she finds The Watcher, another of Hydalyn’s chosen. Though they were chosen many many moons ago, when She had first created the moon. They had been entrusted with the responsibility to attend to it’s prisoner. Holding Zodiark fast and attending to his shackles. Zenos and Fandaniel’s plan had shattered 5 of them, only one of which The Watcher had managed to restore when Zee arrived. Shades of the Ancient’s who had sacrificed their lives for both Zodiark and the restoration of their people now walked the moon’s surface. A side-effect of the shackles being nearly broken. The wandering spirits of those dead but unable to move on in the radiant stasis of Hydaelyn. As Zee speaks with the shades, and they dissipate, they speak with her as if they knew her. As if asking a dear friend to remember an important memory of them together. And with the appearance of a lustrous golden dog, with eyes that reminded her of Krile’s and Ryne’s when Hydalyn’s magics were strongest, staring at her as if they beckon her follow; Zee follows. Leading her through some caves to another section of the moon, and another shade. This shade, bitter and angry. Again she follows the dog. Again it leads her to another shade. Grief filled and in anguish this shade recounts its memories of the Final Days. Drawing more and more shades as they speak of their sacrifices. Though, when a familiar voice rings out from their sorrows and begs them part, they disappear leaving only the shade of Zee’s dear New Old Friend. Hythlodaeus knows it is not Azem, not the Azem he knew at least, but he recognized his beloved friend all the same, her brilliant rainbow soul and unmistakable one. Though this is not the same shade from Amaurot, Hythlodaeus was Hythlodaeus all the same, first, or one hundredth, meeting aside. He reveals that he was one of the many souls sacrificed for Zodiark’s will, and explains his ‘waking dream’-like state. Despite it all, Hythlodaeus entrusts Zee with his faith unequivocally. No matter what Zee had planned, he saw his Dearest Old Friend, his Azem, in her. But their conversation is cut short when Fandaniel shatters yet another shackle on his god, and Hythlodaeus lets slip an interesting detail of knowing Fandaniel himself. He promises Zee to tend to the shades allowing her to go unbothered by them to stop the doom of her beloved star, just as he and Emet-Selch attempted to do many thousands of years ago. Taking to the skies on the golden pup Zee rushes to protect the final seal, the last hope for containing Zodiark. She does not make it in time, watching Zenos destroy the final seal just as she lands.

Now more than ever before, Zee must win the fight against this new Zodiark, with Fandaniel’s nihilistic influence fusing with the first primal. With Hyth’s words echoing in her mind and the crystal of Azem clutched tight to her chest, Zee summons her companions to her side. Zodiark would be laid low no matter what. A feat she is successful at, though one Fandaniel’s plan accounted completely for. He plunges his own claw into Zodiark’s chest, crushing his heart and killing Zodiark, exactly what was needed to bring the Final Days to the Source and it’s reflections. A bone chilling voice echoing in Zee’s head as she comes to on the moon's surface. Zenos leaves her be, walking off to find the unadulterated despair he so craved. 

The Arc; The Watcher, after a short break, told Zee and her companions all they remember of the Ancient world. That if ruin came to their star, the Source, every other reflection would be plunged into the same fate. And with the Final Days coming to their star already, they needed to be ready to stand against whatever was causing it. Though, if they do fail, The Watcher relays that Hydalyn had created this moon for more than just holding Zodiark. But also to be the Arc for mankind. Yet nothing could prepare them for what they would find upon entering the Arc. A herd of small rabbit folk bursting out of strange pods. And certainly not expecting them to assume they were children on top of it. After setting things with their age and size straight the lopporrites show them around the inside of the moon. When things don’t go the way the lopporit’s hoped they beg Urianger for help. Forcing him to be secretive once again, a curse that seemed to be following him. Sneaking after him, as Urianger attempts to stealthily leave, they end up having a heart-to-heart when Zee catches up to him. It was not often the two were able to talk with each other by themselves, Zee always busy and Urianger being the self-reliant type did not afford them many times to just talk with each other. Coming to terms with evacuation being the last resort Livingway gains extra insights into the people of Etheirys and their drive to fight for not only their star, but all the others as well. Leaving Urianger with the lopporrits, Zee and the rest of her companions make their way back to Garlemald and then to Old Sharlyan.

An Unexpected Connection; Zee never expected that her affections with Erenville would lead to anything more, he was a kind, straightforward soul she relished every second around. He was never one to treat her as Warrior of Light, as 'The Hero of the Star', as the statue the world raised upon a pedestal, but as Zee. She was, first and foremost, a lover of nature, a care-er who delighted in cooking for her friends. Someone who was gentle whenever she could be as the moments she showed her thorns were not the moments Zee wished to celebrate. And Erenville saw beyond all that. He saw her heart, her soul, her kindness. On her return to Sharlyan, from the moon, she finds a letter from him in her room. In it he asked her to meet him in Labyrinthos on her return. Though she couldn’t know when the letter was delivered when she made her way down, there he was waiting for her. He presented her with a heartbloom, this one a bright pink-purple color, and hurriedly confessed his feelings to Zee. They had both fallen fast, and, though Erenville did not know it yet, with the Final Days coming to their star it might be some of their last moments to be together. Though they kept it fairly secretive, the two continued to spend as much time together as they could with their hectic schedules. Just a year after having met they were a couple. A couple which fit together like they were always meant to be. Several of the Scions knew, Ell guessed something had progressed between them just a day after they had become ‘official’. 

The Song of the Final Days Arrives;  But it was only days later when the Forum held its public assembly revealing to its citizens the Final Days were approaching. The night the visions of the Final Days began to plague Zee Alisaie showed up at her door, making Zee promise to not even THINK about any self sacrificing in the days to come. And, like an omen, Zee’s visions of a sky of red with numerous burning stars ripping across it, became true on the Source. Raz-at-Han, Ala Mhigo, and Ishgard all reported monsters appearing out of nowhere and attacking the people. With Raz-at-Han in the worst position, Zee and the Scions arrive there to assist Ahewann and Vrtra. Ahewann explains more of what they know; that the monsters are not creation magic run amuck, but the people forced into becoming the monsters themselves. A hauntingly similar situation to the Sin Eaters of the First. With their goal to evacuate and save as many people as possible they make for Vanaspati desperate to make it in time. Zee felt like she was reliving Holminster Switch, so many people turning into monsters in front of her eyes. No traces of their personhood left in these newly created monsters. Y’shtola’s inability to see the beasts- the monsters proving their hypothesis, they are bereft of their aether. Just as the sin eaters of the First, there was no possible way to save them. Though Zee was sure her significant others would not fall to these monsters, she could not help the pit of anxiety stuck in her stomach. SHe was so far away from them, Erenville having left for Ishgard, another land where the people were turning, and Sadu in the Steppe again after their time in Garlemald, a land Zee had no knowledge of being affected just yet, she could only pray to Menphina her loves would not come to harm. Gathering information from the people of Raz-at-Han, G'raha and Zee learn of Khalzahl’s transformation, one of the first people she had met in Thavnair now gone forever. A pattern was starting to form as they learned more about Khalzahl’s transformation, and those that transformed in front of them, they had all been in turmoil. 

Meeting back up with the other scions, Ahewann addresses his people. Though when a worried mother’s emotions overflow sparking another wave of transformations their theory is all but confirmed. But in the fighting Ahewann, protecting one of his citizens, is killed, pleading to Vrtra to protect their people. G’raha’s time as the Crystal Exarch is exactly what the people need at this time of chaos, his steadfast confident strength allowing panicking people to calm and focus themselves. While too late for some… for far to many, they can still save and protect others, they must. Matsya leads the twins and Zee to Palaka’s Stand, doing their best to keep calm and help any they possibly could while rushing to safety. The scene at Palaka’s Stand is no better than the one in Raz-at-Han, dead and terrified people strewn across the small town. Zee stands, a healer unable to help most of the people who need it, their wounds more emotional than physical. Desperate to save a small family which ran with their baby, Matsya and Zee come across a dying Qerasaf, reassuring him they would find his wife and daughter. Staying with him as he died, drying his tears and holding his hand, Zee calms his fear allowing him to die in relative peace. She had a promise to keep, and once he had passed, she sprinted off to keep it. Just like G’raha, she threw herself into her ‘role’; the Hero. They need her to be the pillar they expected of her, and she would give them no less. She was their Hero, their pillar, and she could not fail them now. When Zee and Matsya are unable to find the mother and her child they return to Palaka’s Stand to recruit Alphinaud and Alisaie in their search. For the first time since she left home Zee prayed to her Gods, not to the twelve as she seldom did since coming to Eorzea, but to her Gods from her homeland. It felt almost a betrayal, but it was all Zee could do to keep her composure. 

Again they head out in search of Mehvan and her child. Stumbling across a few villagers on their way to the temple they do their best to get them all to safety. At the temple there are many more, they’re able to save some but there were a few who turned. Mehvan and her child are still nowhere to be found. Though luckily Alisaie’s sharp sight catches a monster in pursuit of someone and the group rushes to help. Diving into the water when the monster throws the mother and child, Zee is able to save Mehvan and Qerasaf’s baby, her parents both dying to protect her. Entrusting the baby to Matsya, Zee and the twins hold a wave of monsters back in hopes they would be able to make it back to Palaka’s Stand safely. Estinien and Vrtra arrived to save Matsya exactly when they needed it. With the wave of monsters defeated, Alisaie and Zee collect the bodies of Mehvan and Qerasaf, laying them to rest properly. Together. Returning to Palaka’s Stand they are present for Vrtra revealing himself as Satrap, and Ahewann a loyal servant of his, trusting in Ahewann’s convictions that Vrtra should reveal his leadership role to his people. The dragon’s next step, telling the people of Raz-at-Han. His proclamation goes well, his people accepting him with open arms. 

With a rest required from all the Scions, they slip away for a meal and to discuss their next steps. G’raha suggests that Zee take a trip to the First in hopes to speak with Elidibus if his soul is still clinging to the crystal tower. It’s a perfect opportunity to peek in on Ryne and Gaia, and see exactly how much they have changed in the years it has been for them. While the time dilation had shifted slightly since the balance had returned to the First it was still nearly a decade since Zee had left. Ryne was now a grown woman, nearly 27 years old and thriving with her fiancee - soon to be wife. The children that Zee had helped were all in their mid teens, wavering on what weapons they wanted to use while adventuring, and as close as ever. In all the heartache Zee had been through in the past few months, it felt like gasping in breath after holding it for too long. A small reprieve. One that she felt guilty over near immediately. Their reunion was short lived as Zee still needed to hurry, time dilation or not, they were on a ticking clock after all. Luck was on their side and Elidibus’ soul still lingered after all this time. He reveals his restored memories of the convocation; of Fandaniel’s unsundered self and how each new reincarnation of his grew more and more corrupted. When Zee asks him about the Elpis flower Elidibus reveals it was not a flower to him, but a place. A palace where Fandaniel - Hermes - presided as the leader. Suddenly Elidibus was struck with a strange memory of Zee in Elpis many thousands of years ago. He would send her back, having mastered the working of the Crystal Tower, delivering her to the precise moment necessary. Elidibus warns her that she would not be able to change the past, for her being there is part of the grand design. Elidibus uses every last bit of his strength to ferry her to Elpis, to the past. 

A Land Lost to Time; Opening her eyes Zee finds herself in a giant room adorned with familiar architecture. It reminded her so immediately of Amaurot she knew it had succeeded. She was in Elpis, in the past. And she was invisible to all. The room held several people, all the same size as the shades of Amaurot, all unawares of her completely. That is until two very familiar people appear from the aetheryte-like crystal. Her dear New Old friend, and someone that stirred such a storm of emotions Zee nearly choked. And then he turned and saw her. They met eyes, and his face scrunched ever so slightly. Just when they went to open the door Hythlodaeus asks Emet-Selch if he can see ‘it’ too. Commenting on her strange soul’s colors, ones Hythlodaeus could never forget. With some prodding Hyth convinces Emet to gift a tiny amount of aether to this ‘familiar’ of Azems. The way the two ancient men talked of Azem, Zee could tell they both loved her in their own ways. Commenting on Azem’s habits and her personality as they made their way to Hermes. The winged girl beside Hermes jumping up and pleading to be her friend before she had a real chance to talk. Zee took an immediate shine to her, Meteion’s bubbly personality and eagerness to get to know Zee and her differences drawing her in even more. When an adventurous little Ambystoma (axolotl) wanders off Zee gets a peek into Hermes’ personality and what he would do for his creations. Learning even more when Emet and Hyth begin their meeting with Hermes and reveal that he is to take over as the seat of Fandaniel. Explaining to Metein, and to Zee, that ‘returning to the star’ is their way of dying. A notion that causes both Hermes and Metein in turn to become depressed. As requested, Zee and Meteion go for a walk, learning about each other and Elpis as they wander the gorgeous gardens. They were both drawn to each other in their own ways, and both in unknown, or at least unable to express properly, ways. Zee could not know it was due to Azem having a hand in her emotional designs, or that Meteion (and Hermes) considered Azem Iris her mother of sorts.

On their way to view some recent creations they come across a small patch of Elpis flowers. Meteion immediately perks up exclaiming that they’re ‘entelechies’ just like her. Yet another creation that calls to Zee. Another creation of Azem’s. Hermes explains that they rarely change color, remaining a pure white color in their natural environment. He explains further that there is another magic besides aether all together, Zee remembering Nidhana’s explanation of ‘Akasa’, though they call it ‘Dynamis’. An explanation that Emet is surprised by, having never heard of Dynamis before. Hermes’ next stop in his duties involved teaching a third generation charybdis to fly. Seeing Emet in a new light as he begrudgingly helps to prevent Hermes from transforming, a social faux-pa on the same level as streaking, according to Emet-Selch. It gives Hyth and Zee time to talk, her new old friend spilling some things Emet would much rather be secret, admitting that her soul’s colors put him at ease. 

Taking some time to rest Hythlodaeus takes Zee to a rather small floating island. A single small house perched atop it. He bids her to rest there, revealing it to be Iris’s home. Leaving Zee to her rest, Hyth waited for news from Hades and Hermes that their business was concluded once again. Inside Zee takes in the home of Azem - of Iris. When Azem’s soul crystal begins to glow and the faint ghostly outline of a hand suddenly reaches out towards her, Zee comes face to face with Iris. Or at least a phantom of her. Though Iris was unable to speak, the help of the Echo gave Zee all she needed to know, and a little more. A fragment of Iris’ soul that she broke off during the Final Days was able to find Zee through space and time, joining with and changing Zee. While it did not give her a perfect, uncorrupted view of Iris’ memories, the fragments she was able to see made Zee come to understand Hades even more. She was his unrequited love.  And if Iris’ last hazy memory was true, he was also her killer. Hades was ever fueled by regret. But she had not know just how it towered over him every bell of his life. 

The Echo knocked Zee out for far longer than she expected, waking up on the floor with Hyth’s face filling her vision. Their moment of rest was gone, Zee swimming in her thoughts as she and Hyth returned to the group as Hermes had run off after bad news. Chasing after him Meteion clasped Zee’s hand in hers the whole time, clearly worried. Meteion begged Zee to help her find the perfect flowers to cheer up Hermes, and inadvertently led Zee to the Heartbloom once again. The Elpis flower to the Ancients. Zee shared her sadness with Meteion, turning the Elpis blossom a deep shade of purple in front of Hermes. Zee knew some pieces about Iris’ relationship with Hermes, and when he took off his mask to talk with her she felt as though she were Iris herself standing in front of Hermes. He spoke of sadness. Of death. Of ignorance and cruelty and avoidance. A speech that gave Zee deja vu. Hermes even letting slip his inspiration was her ‘master’, her Azem. But he didn’t give her long to stew over it as Hermes made his way back to the others. The bad news could have been guessed by all, the creature was to be fully and unequivocally terminated. All seven of them. Determined to see his project through to the very end, Hermes puts on a brave face to face their execution. Though he is unexpectedly forced to take a more active hand in putting the frenzied creatures down when they lash out one final time. Heartbroken, Hermes laments a prayer for the fallen Iykanoes as Hades and Hyth return. 

Continuing her travels with Hythlodaeus and Emet, Zee and the two men travel to a new island and run into an even more surprising person. Venat. Who came crashing down from the sky to save the trio from a rogue shark creation. There it is explained that Venat was the previous Azem, stepping down yet remaining to do her job. When she calls out Zee on being from the future on first glance; Venat revealing her travelers ward being cast on Zee but not remembering ever doing such a thing, Zee is forced into a difficult corner. She cannot reshape the past no matter how hard she might try. Yet she could not keep the fact a secret when so directly questioned about it. Retreating to Venat’s friend’s home, Zee begins her tale. They are there for hours. Though Hyth is reluctant to accept her truths, Venat is steadfast in her belief in Zee. Hades, on the other hand, spirals into a flurry of angry words before he storms off, Hythlodaeus chasing after him.

With the previous Azem, and a shard of the current one left to their own devices, the two set out to learn as much as possible about Hermes, Meteion, and Dynamis. Doing what  they do best; talking with the locals and taking in the views. Awaiting a researcher, and taking in the vast beauty of Elpis, Zee weaves her tale of adventures for Venat. Venat in turn gives Zee some insights into how she may be thinking and feeling in the future; awaiting her time to finally return to the star. Asking Zee a question that would follow her for the rest of time; “Has your journey been good? Has it been worthwhile?”. Those questions rocked Zee’s very core. How could she think to sum everything up as just good or bad, but her mind still said ‘Yes!’ immediately. Despite it all. For those she could yet still save. For those it is too late to. Yes. But Zee could not express her feelings as the researcher they had been waiting on arrived, bringing with her information about Meteion’s sister taking to the stars. With more information leading to another, smaller, and inaccessible via walking, and Argos not allowing Zee to ride on his back, Venat pushes Zee to spar with her. An activity Zee always enjoys, despite her complaining about all the extra healing she had to do because of it (or of Ell’s complaining if/when she breaks her prosthetic going too overboard). And the island awarded the two for their sparring match with a controlled ‘Echo’ vision of the past. Allowing Zee to watch spy in on Hermes and Meteion just after her sisters had taken for the heavens and beyond. 

With their newly acquired information, Venat and Zee take off to find Hermes, to tell him their concerns in hopes he would understand. But when they arrive at his most likely location, the two women run into Hades and Hyth. Once the reunited group finally find Hermes and Meteion out in the field, they confront him with their thoughts. Hermes became more and more distressed as he relayed his thoughts. Meteion, connecting to her sisters shared consciousness, suddenly grasped at her head, her eyes going black as the emotional turmoil spread to Zee. Panicking, Meteion disappears and runs, only Zee able to hear the small girl’s pleas for them to stay away. She desperately did not want to report her findings to Hermes. Despite finding Meteion several times, she ran away again shortly after every time, escaping giving her report as long as possible. She was successful for a while. But she was still no match for the group working together. Knowing it would destroy what was left of Hermes’ gentle soul, Meteion connects to her sisters once again. Finally giving her dreaded report. No extant lifeforms detected.. Over and over and over again. With Meteion’s answer deemed ‘flawed’ by the others, Hermes transforms to protect her until she finishes her report in full. Forcing Hyth, Venat, Hades, and Zee to follow after, terrified of what Hermes might do once Meteion’s report concluded. Tearing through Ktisis Hyperboreia together, Hermes flees, destroying and releasing creations in hopes of stopping them. Making it to the top, and to Hermes and Meteion, the group watches as Meteion recounts her answer to Hermes’ question. Her brilliant blues leeching away to a dower grey. She had been overcome with despair, the despair of believing everyone better off dead.

Meteion’s song of oblivion was enough to seduce Hermes. Using his last bits of strength after his defeat to bind them in place and cast Kairos to alter their memory. The memory of everyone there, himself included. A test of wills. Of strengths. Of Ideals. Yet they would not allow Hermes’ plan to go perfectly, the three Ancients fighting tooth and nail as Zee struggled to regain her strength. With Venat chasing after Meteion, Hyth and Hades did equal parts distraction and trickery working to get Zee out with her memories intact. Venat catching Zee with Argos and escaping Hermes’ memory alteration by a hair. Both Venat and Zee realized why she had to go to Elpis at that exact time; Venat was able to attach a tracking signal to Meteion before her escape. Their only hope in defeating the Final Days. Defeating Meteion. With a heavy heart Venat bids farewell to Zee. knowing they would see each other again. Confronted with visions of Venat’s struggle Zee returns to the First, left with a bitter ache and understanding for the woman raised to be a god. With swift farewells to Ryne and Gaia, Zee returns to Krile and Tataru in Old Sharlyan. The two did not have great news for Zee, the Final Days had progressed to Garlemald, but Zee’s information gave everyone a spark of renewed hope. Despite her aching joints and tired body Zee made her way to Camp Broken Glass, knowing a fight lay in wait when she arrived.

For The Love of Ethyris; As soon as Zee arrived she was directed by Lucia towards her spot on the battlefield. Some refugees and citizens had been trickling in from escaping the monstrosities, but there were still so many more that needed help. Zee did not have time to think about the small double glances at her from those around, she was needed. Even when Alisaie and G’raha reacted with a certain level of surprise upon first seeing her, she brushed it off. There was no time to focus on such trivial things. The fight was shorter than she expected, coming into the fight late while Alphinaud, Estinien, G’raha, and Alisaie tore through waves of monstrosities. Though when Zenos turned up on the battlefield and cut down a creature, saving a Thavnarian refugee. The former crown prince left just as quickly as he had arrived, Alisaie’s lecturing words hung frozen in the icy air as he disappeared into the frozen mist.

With an invitation to speak to the Forum, and now Urianger and a small selection of loporrits, Zee and the scions travel back to Old Sharlyan. Zee relishing in having a moment to rest. After Zee had a small doze, Alisaie made her way to the Warrior of Light, wasting no time in questioning the ‘changes’ Zee had gone through since her time in Elpis. Offering Zee a small mirror ALisaie had borrowed from someone. In her reflection Zee saw what Alisaie meant. Her scales now were iridescent. Small lines of rainbow trailed across her scales looking almost like veins of ore in stone. And her eyes had changed, once heterochromia blue and pink, they were the same eyes that Iris had beheld her with. Even her limbal rings now a glowing circle of every color of the rainbow. Zee regaining Iris’ splintered fragment in Elpis left a larger imprint on her than she had thought. Not wanting to explain everything that happened in Elpis on the airship, Zee asks for Alisaie’s patience. Drifting off to another peaceful nap when Alisaie dropped the subject. The scions let Zee sleep for a while after they landed, Urianger going to find Erenville to let him know they had returned and where to find Zee. A wonderful gift to give Zee, getting woken up by Erenville on her return. They spent some time in the airship. Mostly catching up, the two relishing the quiet and dark sanctuary as the Final Days slowly swallowed their star. Quiet moments between the two new lovers amidst the chaos. 

Pulled away from her quiet sanctuary the airship had turned into, Zee was forced to rush off to the forum meeting with just a quick goodbye. Joining back up with the scions to plan their strategies before they entered. Putting their trust behind Krile and Alphinaud, the meeting began. With Alphinaud’s compelling argument bolstered by Krile’s delicate set up earning them the majority vote from the Forum, the Scions all begin their new work; Making Sharlyan’s aetherburner as fast as possible. Working with Fourchenault instead of against him proved a much more pleasant experience. Back in Labyrinthos after what felt like a lifetime, Zee and the Scions make their way to meet with the head engineer, Kokkol Dankkol. A panicked engineer frantically pouring over work in hopes it would spring loose a font of answers in his mind. Calling in help from across the star, Alphinaud manages getting more of the refined Allagan adamantite to go from a mere handful of scraps to crates full. It would take time, like all things, but with so many hands helping the work it would go by quickly. Cirina rallying the Xaela of the Steppe to create a suitable sacred vessel to carry out Kokkol’s newest design addition. The spark of hope glowing anew as they walk steadily towards progress.

Tasked with helping Urianger and the loporrits while they waited, Zee tries to do her best to impart the simple joys of everyday life to the small bunny aliens. Cookingway became particularly enamoured with Zee’s talk of food and cooking, their fascination only growing when they came to sample home cooked themself. While pairing researchers with their respective expert loporrit, Urianger finally reunites with Moenbryda’s parents. A reunion that was long put off. With the loporrits busy in their task Zee returned to helping the rest of the Scions in their tasks. With everyone working together, they complete task after task, awaiting the linkpearl call to announce their needed materials had arrived. And their friends pulled their weight and more. Piles of crates filled with their needed materials backed up Sharlyan’s harbours. The shouting of Sicurd heard all the way to the Markets. The call for aid resounded far and wide thanks to Krile and Erenville. With the Scions deal fulfilled, they take their first step towards taking to the stars; meeting with Hydealyn.

Delving into the Antiascope Zee and her small party are confronted by enemies long past, and comforted by friends sorely missed. The spirits of her deceased family helped form part of the crystal path at the end. The full support of friends, of family, new and old ensuring Zee reaches her end goal. One final conversation with Amon - with Hermes - revealed to Zee that he was able to remember, though he did not piece together that it was Zee in Elpis all those thousands of years ago. He seared the scar of forgetting onto his soul, falling ever further to the nihilism Meteion brought as her answer. Old foes defeated once again, the warm spirit of Otsuyu appeared, taking her daughter’s face in her ghostly hands and saying a final goodbye they never got in life. The spirits of her father, grandmother, and four of her siblings bidding her farewell, until they meet again.

It was time to meet with Venat once again after so, so many years. Time to prove mankind strong enough to silence the song of oblivion.

Into the Heavens;

With Venat’s final power reserve depleted upon her defeat, she answers their final questions before gifting Zee with a crystal with Meteion’s location stored within. Solving the issue of powering their ark to the edge of the universe with the mothercrystal. Bidding Zee to come closer and accept one final gift from her, Venat imbuing Azem’s crystal with her final moats of strength before dissipating into the aetherial sea. Zee’s promise driving her and the Scions ever forward. Given a day to prepare Zee retreated to her room, losing herself to bouts of dream filled sleep. It would be the last good rest for her for some time. Despite the downtime afforded to her by the Forum, Zee was plagued by anxiety and pain as she awaited her time to fight. It had been some time since Zee had felt like the Scion’s weapon, and the painful feeling resurging cut her to the core. The pedestal she was on only rising ever higher as the weight of the entire star settled upon her shoulders. The weight was always there for Zee, but now it was front and center in her mind. Everyone was so busy making final preparations, doing their utmost to make sure Zee had her time to rest. Erenville was especially busy, leading teams of Gleaners in their preparations and any last minute materials that the engineers and loporrits happened to need. Ellaeuxlynn had been consumed in her own project, perfecting the needed enchantments for Zee’s new leg prosthetic. One that would, in theory, allow Zee to forgo her aether expelling ritual as the enchantment continuously burned small amounts of  whoever wore the prosthetic’s aether. 

In the scant bells before Zee was to set out across the universe she spent as much time as she could with Erenville and the Scions. Sadu, busy with helping, leaving the odd sweet note behind for Zee to read when she could. Meeting with old and new friends, spending what time  she could with her loves of all varieties. Making their comfort foods during the night, instead of risking herself to her nightmares, the dreams had only increased as the Final Days spread. Clinging to her waking dreams, her hopes, Zee trained, prepared, and basked in the shared love of family. 

Departure day was a mix of bustling chaos and the held breath of hope. Her first goodbye was to Erenville as he was called away in the early morning bells. He had managed to help her fall asleep, for the first time in days, and as he left so did the rest of her tiredness. Unable to sleep, Zee left her room for an early morning walk. It hadn’t felt nearly as long as it was when Ell found her for the other scions. The ark was complete. It was time for their fight with Meteion. With the combined strength of the Societies and the loporrits, the final burst of strength sent the newly named Rangnarok off to the ends of the Universe. 

Meteion greeted them all before they could even land. Her nihilistic song even spread to the inner workings of the Ragnarok. Yet as Meteion shared her threats, and her reasonings behind them, the Scions all spoke their resolute responses. They knew she would not make it easy, and she started by taking their breath. Thancred, the only one left standing as the air was sucked from the ship, giving himself up to allow for his companions to move forward. They were down one already. Before they had even set foot upon the ground at the end of space. Meteion mocking them as they searched for Thancred at first, and then in their general attempts. She was so sure their every step would be met by her despair and falter. Estinien gave himself up next, his speech to the depressed dragon bringing forth a passageway with a burst of his dynamis.  Each step became more painful for Zee as her companions each gave themself to bring her to their end goal. Whatever Ultima Thul brought to them as a challenge the scions surmounted it. But never without a loss.  Thancred, then Estinien, Y’shtola and Urianger combining their strength as mages, and personalities, in the face of the Ea’s dreary knowledge. Zee’s steps were growing ever more difficult. The metaphorical weight of her title became more real than ever before. But with the closest scions to Zee left, G’raha, Alisaie, and Alphinaud struggle their way to the dead sun Meteion incubated in. G’raha making them a bridge of crystal to reach the top. The twins having to help Zee forward as the weight descends on her shoulders ever farther. Their sacrifice was nearly too much for Zee. But she made it up those stairs all the same. Clawing her way to the end of it all, to Meteion. 

With the snap of creation magic from Hades and Hythlodaeus - and the promise from Hermes to Meteion fulfilled - Zee calls her family, the scions, back to her side. Surrounded by promised flowers, and together once again, they make for their final test; the Dead Ends. 

Pieces of Azem;   Making it to the Endsinger finally, after watching every single one of her friends disappear to safety. The full weight of the star forcing her to crumple like paper, her prosthetic groaning under the pressure of Zee's aether running through it. Alone. On the precipice of The End. As the most unexpected of 'guests' rears his ugly head, a begrudgingly... trusted... enemy to ferry Zee across the cosmos to victory. Zenos, as Shinryu once again, allows Zee the grounds on which to defeat the Endsinger. Azem's crystal, which had taken residence on a simple necklace against Zee's breast, thrummed with power. Taking the crystal out from underneath her shirt the summoning circle appears along with 7 frighteningly familiar faces, who were all at once people Zee had never met and people who have always been with her. A tall Viera, her soft orange hair framing her round face, the first of many faces Zee had been dreaming of since she arrived in Eorzea. Ulla, the protector, a shard of Iris, a piece of Zee once her star's rejoining happened. A small Miqo'te with bright purple, her samurai sword already unsheathed and in her hands ready to fight. The same face Zee has worn in other dreams, dreams of revenge and the earth crumbling all around them. Deja, the cocky master swordswoman who couldnt put her world back together with her sword alone. Nearly hidden by the robes of the Elezen next to her, a tall Lalafell stood proud, her rapier drawn and ready just like Deja. Yakiki, her short blue hair done up in braids, her rich, warm, brown skin contrasting against her cool blue clothing. Pimelle, the Elezen next to Yakiki, gave Zee a wink as she drew her leather-bound book and cast a spell wrapping everyone in a protective bubble of her aether. She was the tallest amongst the group, and her bright green robes billowed around her long legs. The scholar who couldn’t save her star, the scholar who tried to still. To Zee’s right stood Ophelia, a stunning black woman with dark brown skin and her hair styled in a protective updo. She wielded the largest gunblade Zee had ever seen, the hunk of metal resting against Ophelia’s shoulder as if it weighed nothing. Vesna was next to Ophelia, the small Hrothgar lazily stretching as if this were a friendly sparring match. The anxious looking Xaela next to her seemingly making up for both their nerves by herself as she death gripped her pictomancer brush. Nergui of the Plains, the Painter of souls.

7 souls which Zee knew so well. 7 souls that Zee wasn’t expecting to see. 7 souls to support her as she achieved the impossible. The Endsinger needed to fall, and on the back of Shinryu she would succeed or doom them all. With the help of the rejoined shards Zee stands at the precipice, victorious. Her leg prosthetic sparking and straining under her own weight as the new dawn of hope began. But the fight was not over, Shinryu - now Zenos once again - still drew breath. Though tired from the fight with the Endsinger, Zee did not spare Zenos an ounce of her strength. Entering her blood lily rage Zee barely notices when one of his attacks renders her left arm unusable. Through the fight she is beaten and bloodied, using everything she could inside herself to counter Zenos’ might. Until once again Zee was victorious. Though she could no longer stand, her prosthetic had broken quickly into the fight and the weight of her body was too much for her arm to maintain herself. What remained of her left arm hung from her shoulder limp and soaked red with her own blood. As she faded into unconsciousness Zee felt Zenos try to reach out to her, reach for her, and she pulled away still. Zee could not find it within herself to offer him kindness, not after everything. 

The Dawn of New Hopes; Zee’s next memory was waking up in the Ragnarok. Tears, and grasping hands applying pressure to a deep wound Zee was growing all the more aware of. Alisaie took no time in scolding Zee on her behavior, making sure her pressure on the mangled flesh that was Zee’s left arm never changed. It only made Zee smile. She was just so happy to open her eyes again. To be able to see her family again after everything. It was all she could ask for, to hope for. Consciousness was not long for Zee, once her eyes closed she drifted off to sleep once again, vaguely aware of being close to home.

Iris met her once again, in the place between dreaming and Zee’s mind. Although they did not speak to her, Iris was smiling. Tears spilled down their face as they took Zee’s hand and softly kissed it, before Iris disappeared into the stardust. A soft, kind, farewell. One Iris did not get in her life. 

When they landed a beaming Tataru greeted a solemn group of Scions, Thancred clutching Zee in his arms as he rushed past. Urianger stayed to explain the situation to Tataru so she could fetch chirurgeons. Sadu, who had been staying with Cirina in Old Sharlyan after their work concluded waiting for Zee’s return, had immediately fallen into step with Thancred as he followed Tataru and the chirurgeons she gathered. Erenville had rushed forward, tripping over his boots and stumbling into a run as Sadu carried her off. In the hours it took for her surgery to complete Sadu and Erenville ended up bonding. While Erenville could not relate to her fervor for battle he could relate to her love for Zee. He knew how Sadu had supported Zee through their years together, and told Sadu how happy he was that Zee had her to support her in her battles and the struggles he could not. Sadu grew a soft spot for him, beginning her persistent pestering in offering Erenville different weapons to try out.

It lasted a week. Y’shtola, Urianger, and Alphinaud taking turns as her healer while Erenville and Sadu kept a constant vigil. They rarely left her side during that week. All the scions spent their off time in her room, none of them wanting to leave her alone if it was within their power. Erenville was quietly given time off from the gleaners so he could spend his time helping Zee. Sadu and he would bathe her everyday, carefully changing her bandages whenever needed, and applying balm to her injured scales. Every night Erenville would read to Zee. Sadu slept early so she could be awake for the night, a twilight vigil over her love just in case Zee woke up at night. Just so the small chance she woke up when the world was still she would awaken to see someone she loves. 

When Zee next awoke she was in a large, soft, bed. Two warm hands wrapped around her right, not only, hand. Erenville was asleep, slumped in what could have only been an extremely uncomfortable position to sleep. His neck at an angle that would surely leave it aching when he awoke. Without being able to move yet Zee could only see him, the sleeping form of Sadu on a small cot lay just out of her sight. It was mid afternoon, and Erenville had fallen asleep ‘on duty’, but it took barely a minute for him to awaken when he felt movement from Zee’s hand. Erenville made sure to wake up Sadu before he helped Zee sit up slightly, climbing into the bed carefully so he could wrap his entire self around her. Sadu kneeled on the floor to avoid hurting Zee as she clung to her injured love. It was the first time Zee had ever seen either Erenville or Sadu cry. Forced to take an extended break from her Heroly duties Zee rests, truly rests, for the first time in over a decade. Spending her time split between the Steppe with her girlfriend and Cirina, and with Erenville in Old Sharlyan as he wrapped up his time as a gleaner. Ell and Love Bird often stopped by for visits when not hard at work with the rest of the scions. AS the Scions of the Seventh Dawn became ‘Officially Disbanded’ Tataru held a large celebration, both for Zee’s return to her adventuring, and for the disbandment. They would always be bound together. Forevermore family. But the star did not need them as they were, and so they would go their separate ways for a time. Until they were called upon again. Zee finally getting to travel unburdened by her title for the first time in oh so long. In all of Zee’s half made plans for where to go next, she was not expecting to be called back to Elpis so soon. Even less so to meet and interact with Elidibus and Lahabrea. Her time there was fast and violent, putting an end to Athena’s carefully made plans swiftly with the shards of Iris’ rejoined soul beside her once again. Though they could not talk, Zee felt their emotions as if they were her own, fighting alongside fractions of herself - fractions of Iris - was as natural as breathing. It was the final time she would see them outside her dreams, for now at least.

Adventurer Once Again; On her return to the Source Zee goes for tea with Tataru, her dear friend suggesting she travel back to Thavnair for some true adventuring. But not without the new outfit Tataru had been working on especially for her. Ready for her new adventures Zee then sets off to Thavnair once again. Mihleel from Mehryde’s Meyhane pointing her in the direction of a treasure vault, and a professor with knowledge about it. Unexpectedly running into Estinien buying a map for an exorbitant amount of gil. Recruiting G’raha,Y’shtola, and Urianger for help, Zee and her newly formed treasure hunting party set off for their new adventure! At the end the group is met with the surprising sight of Varshahn - Vrtra - catching them in their looting, and educating them in the precious treasure that only he knew rested there; Azdaja. His sister, lost to the void for many long years now. Only a tiny portal, sealed within an alchemical cauldron, Vrtra’s final hope at returning his beloved sister. Upon their return to Raz-At-Han, Vrtra resolves to spend his saved horde of treasure to help his people rebuild and recover from the Final Days, and allows Y’shtola to study the voidgate. Now employed as a guest advisor, Zee puts her more lofty travel plans on hold, writing to Erenville and Sadu about her new plans. Ell and Love Bird arrive in Raz-At-Han, Ell there to learn new forging techniques, and Love Bird there to learn their dancing skills. Zee had encouraged the two to go on their own journeys, she was so sure they were sick of her company after so many years together, but her two dear friends were seemingly lost without the Scions. Ell had gone to Limsa Lominsa for a short while, growing bored at the ‘simple’ forge work she was doing she set off to dip her toes into more and more experimental work. Love Bird on the other hand stayed with Tataru, helping out wherever he could. Until their ex-receptionist shooed him away, hoping that he would regain some independence after so many years as a Garlean Soldier and then Scion of the Seventh Dawn. Reunited with her traveling companions the three spend their time doing their work and then going for hikes, awaiting Y’shtola’s progress with the voidgate. And Y’shtola had a big update for them. She just needed to find some notes from House Daemir located in the forbidden section. The forbidden book provided exactly the information Y’shtola had been in search for. Knowledge of using an artificial Atomos as a voidgate. With two adorable familiars, summoned by Y’shtola, they begin their first experiment on the voidgate. 

With some extra downtime on her hands, Zee is forced to take another break by Y’shtola. The two women had become particularly close after their return to the Source from the First. After years of Y’shtola not particularly liking Zee, and then coming to care for her fiercely, the time they spent together working towards the voidgate had been precious to them both. And Zee could hardly deny Shtola’s demand for rest when she herself could feel her usual levels of energy were drained to nearly none. Traveling back to Old Sharlyan, Zee spent a few weeks bed bound from pain and fatigue. A sight that scared Erenville to no end. Going out on a limb he travels to Thavnair to explain the situation, Zee was sick and hurting. Love Bird and Ell agreed to take over any jobs that needed Zee, everyone understanding she was still in a particularly precarious place with her health. For them all the sight of her mangled arm was still freshly burnt into their minds. She might be their hero, but she was their family first and they would not ask her to endanger herself anymore than they have. If rest was what was needed, they would do their best to give that to her. What Zee refused to tell anyone was that her phantom limb pain had returned. Worse than before. Erenville, luckily, knew several gleaners who had lost a limb who had suffered from similar and while Zee would sleep would tear through every resource he could get his hands on to help her. The same trick she had used to help with her previous phantom limb pain only seemed to make it worse, driving Zee into a deeply depressed state. Unable to leave bed, unable to travel, unable to feel the wind on her face, Zee languishes away in front of Erenville’s eyes. Even when Erenville is able to get a wheelchair, the streets of Old Sharlyan proved to not be wheelchair friendly and earned Zee a night in agony. Forced to miss out on the first trip to the void Zee sinks further into her depression. With all his previous attempts to help ending in failure Erenville finally brings his friend to meet Zee. It takes a while, and a student studying to be a chirurgeon specializing in helping those with phantom limb pain, but after weeks of being stuck inside, Zee is finally able to leave for a short period. Slowly she came out of her depression, the patience of Erenville her saving grace. 

And when Ell unexpectedly turned up for a visit, not letting on her true reason for her arrival, Zee knew she was needed but they dared not ask her in her current state. Healing was always a slow thing for Zee when she could not simply cast it away with a spell. Erenville urged her to stay longer, to rest longer. She did, for as long as her conscience could bare it. Not long enough. Her trip to the void was slow, unable to ride her chocobo Zee was forced to take the slow route. While her pain was still high at the start, the slow journey allowed her to work on her physical therapy and build back her strength. Zee had not noticed her degradation of muscle until Ell had showed up. Upon her return to Alzadaal’s Legacy Zee, finally, begins her newest adventure. 

The Thirteenth and the Dragon;  Entering the voidgate to the world swallowed by darkness Zee is met with shockingly docile voidsent. Ell had explained their battle through the castle, how the voidsent that gathered after their defeat of Scarmiglione were hungry but dared not touch those who defeated their ruler. Yet seeing it with her own eyes still made her pause. One in particular seemed to float towards her, one that looked suspiciously like the avatar Zenos commanded. The crystal of light Y’shtola gifted her responding to them and revealing the form of a confused woman wielding a scythe. Zero. An unexpected attack from the returned Scarmiglione caused Zee to be the one protected as she was unable to cast her magicks from the sudden flare up on agony that hit her at the same time. Ell and Love Bird struggle as the voidsent are resurrected over and over again until finally Zero is persuaded to join in the fight. With her ability to crystalize voidsent the battle swiftly turns in their favor. When Zee picked up Scarmiglione’s crystal she was sucked into one of his memories, the memory of Golbez recruiting them to lead his armies. Golbez, and a great wyrm imprisoned. Traveling via a voidsent to Zero’s domain they learn more about her and the voidsent that live there. Speaking with as many as they could to learn as much as possible. Barbariccia’s untimely arrival forced Zee to grab her staff, resolute on fighting no matter her bodily consequences. With some quick healing from Y’shtola, Zee reassured her friends she would be fine. She could not let her pain stop her from this. Taking to Barbariccia’s domain Zee calls upon her comrades to fight, summoning them there with her Azem’s crystal. Barbariccia proved to be a tough fight, especially shaky from pain, but they succeeded in the end. Zero fainting shortly after crystalizing Barbariccia, and Zee fainting from pain not long after. Forced to put finding Azdaja on hold until their two most important pieces recover, everyone returns from the voidgate. Zee woke up not long after their arrival back to the Source, in need of healing but otherwise fine. It took Zero several more days before she woke. A basketful of apples awaited her when she did. Unused to eating Zero takes the apple’s aether, Vrtra offering to show her his home in return for her showing them hers, and telling them all she could remember of her past. 

She tells them of the Memoriate, those like her with the ability to quarantine darkness into crystals. How they succeeded and then in turn became the evil they fought so hard to contain. With their sights set on attempting to restore some light to the thirteenth they forge a new agreement; Zee would provide steady streams of aether to Zero when wanted, her excess aether becoming extremely handy while working with their new voidsent companion. Y’shtola took on the work of leading the research teams, the others forcing Zee to rest more while they had the downtime. During which Zee and Zero were difficult to separate. Zero followed her around like a duckling, not that Zee minded. She would pepper Zee with questions on and off through the day, taking Zee’s hand when she was in need of aether (and did not particularly want to eat). Zee’s aether was like nothing Zero had consumed before, crackling with energy and heavy. The rest did Zee good as well, the calm days with Zero helping her healing continue slowly but steadily. Until Vrtra showed up to their breakfast, ready to make for the voidgate once again. Yet before they could leave Raz-At-Han, Vrtra senses the faintest hint of his sister and all focus goes to Garlemald, nearest to where he last felt her presence.

The cold did not help Zee’s pain, but she did all she could to avoid slowing down the group. The welcome sight of the twins brightened her mood, reveling in the news that they had been able to do so much good in such a short amount of time. They tell the group of the increased voidsent activity, powerful voidsent. The ruins of an old reaper hide away their first destination in finding the possible fissures. With a sudden attack from hordes of voidsent the former Scions all scatter to help, Jullus asking Zero to stand watch and no more. But when a supply caravan goes missing on route to Camp Broken Glass, Zero insists on going to go in Jullus’ place knowing she had more experience fighting the void fiends. Nearly falling in the endless waves of voidsent, Zero is saved by Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Zee in the nick of time. With the waves under control they turn their sights to Lapis Manalis. Meeting Cagnazzo at the end, another one of Golbez’s army generals, he produces one of Azdaja’s eyes before dying once and for all. Their work in Garlemald done, they all say their goodbyes to the twins, leaving them to their important work once more.

Back in the warmth of Radz-At-Han, just as Zee’s companions were about to tell her to rest, a large explosion of aether shoots from the ground to the heavens. With her health in a much better place than before, Zee was able to immediately set out to the location she was needed, Zero tagging along to help. Golbez’s plan had succeeded, destroying the furnace and the voidgate with it. Another of his fiends awaited her atop khadga, the final of his four champions, Rubicante. Upon his defeat Rubicante reveals to them Golbez and Azdaja await them on the moon of the Thirteenth. With their next steps barred by inability to get to the thirteenth’s moon, they all part ways to prepare themselves, Zero deciding to stick by Zee’s side as she rests in Radz-at-Han. Estinien, never one to sit idly by, was set on training and sparring with Zee when she was able, his gruff bluntness softened in ways that never failed to make Zee laugh. While her phantom limb pain was still there, it was lessened to the degree where, with suitable distractions, Zee could barely feel it. Sparring was a perfect distraction.

It wasn’t too long before Y’shtola was rushing back to them, Urianger in tow. To figure out their way to the moon of the Thirteenth she had taken a little trip to their own moon; their next stop ,after picking everyone up, was to go back to Old Sharlyan. They needed the Forum’s permission to enter one of their aether rich islands. Luckily they made it back in time for Zee to see Erenville off as he journeyed home for the first time in many long years. Permission secured to go to The Isle of Haam, and use Sharlyan’s aether burners, Zee and her company make swift work of the strong hostile animals, clearing way for Kokkol and his workers to fly in and fill their reserves. It was nearly time to meet Golbez. They just needed to persuade the Garlean people to allow them to use the Tower of Babil, the most difficult step yet. Vrtra came up with a trade agreement, one based on trust and equality, hoping that an equal trade instead of charity would appease the fear of the Garlean people. While some stayed wary, the Garlean leaders accepted the trade deal, looking to the future with the trust of a new ally. With the trade agreement made, and Y’shtola’s work done, Zee and her companions make for the moon. The remaking of the seals that once held Zodiark their next step closer to rescuing Azdaja. With how many alchemists Nidhana brought with her, they made short work of the brands, and with the loporrits battle robots patrolling for stray lesser voidsent that manage to make it through the portal, Zee and her companions finally are able to travel to the moon of the Thirteenth. 

BloodMoon; The red moon was not what Zee, or any of her companions, had expected. So similar but bathed in a blood red hue, and missing the loporrits of course. Instead, Golbez reigned supreme over the barren red rocks. Though none of his minions were there to meet them, and Vrtra was unable to feel his sister's presence, the former Scions took to searching for Golbez’s domain’s entrance. Deep in the pit at the centre of the moon, where Zodiark once was bound, was where Golbez made his home. Azdaja bound by the chains of Golbez’ will, but awake now her other eye was returned to her once again. Golbez ended up finding them, releasing Azdaja from her bonds and allowing her to turn voidsent. Taking Azdaja’s new voidsent form and binding it to his sword, Golbez takes on Zee. Eventually falling, but sending Azdaja’s body into the pit of the moon, the remnants of Zodiark’s aether feasting upon her aether and becoming Zeromus; the most powerful voidsent any of them had ever come across. Not even Zero’s ability to crystalize voidsent would work on this new being. Forced to retreat, Vrtra flees with them, promising to return and free his sister as soon as he could.

A full moon passed. Y’shtola, hard at work with Cid, and Zee made to rest. It felt so wrong, everyone was hard at work and she was left to wallow the days away. Not wanting to leave in fear of missing Y’shtola’s return, Zee spent most of her time with the orphans and Zero when not training. Teaching the kids different kinds of handy skills and crafting to help keep her busy. She would cook them dinner nearly every night before returning to her temporary home in the city and training into the night. WIth her pain and fatigue back to their normal levels Zee pushed herself constantly. Zero played as Zee’s sparring partner into the late nights. The evening Y’shtola tore through the city, giddy with the news of what she had been up to for so many sleepless nights. Aether transmitters. Aether transmitters that should be able to transfer some fraction of the flood of light from the First to the Thirteenth.

Zero, able to travel with Zee to the First via Y’shtola’s old soul vessel, stood in awe of the brilliant sunlit day. The possibility of saving her own world looking her directly in her face. Hope, be it from light or dark, surrounded her with nothing but proof. It was possible - is possible. Their first stop, before they touched the flood of light, would be the Eulmore. To make sure they could appease the fears of those whose lives had been consumed by the light for so long. Chai-Nuzz’ suggestion to spread rumors of Zee’s star in danger worked wonders, and the small group was soon moving off to Sliterbough. Runar greeted Zee with a warm hug, peppering her with questions about Master Matoya. He was easy to convince, celebrating with the three women that they would be able to help begin to restore Zero’s star. Ever the kind hearted man Zee knew him to be. They could not stay long though, forced to say goodbye to her dear friends of the First all too soon as they gained approval from everyone to move forward in their plans. Going off on her own while Zee and Ryne set up the aether transmitters, Zero decided to try to take some light into herself. Balance some of her darkness with the light of the First. At first she is repelled, knocked to the ground by the sheer force of light that met the dark inside her. After some light scolding from Zee and Ryne, Zero tried again, this time with Ryne’s help at stabilizing the light. Zero does not falter this time, soon filled with the warm glow of light aether, able to hold both dark and light within her. At balance. Carrying with them the light aether from the First, Zee and Zero return, ready for the fight to come. Astride Vrtra the group of former scions take off once again to the foreign moon.

Placing the aether transmitters in Y’shtola’s directed spots, they all held their breaths. As the tower was activated on the First the light aether began flowing into the Thirteenth once again. With their pathway to Zeromus opened, Zee marched forward. Azdaja would be saved that day. Thrown into the memories of Golbez’, they take on the memory of Durante at the very end. They saw Golbez turned to a voidsent, saw Durante take him - them - on. Saw Durante forced to kill his friend. Saw him put on Golbez’s armor. Learned who they truly were fighting, Durante. Golbez had been dead for many many centuries. All that Durante did was for his friend, to allow him to rest in peace. Zero’s words did nothing to convince him of their perspective. Golbez - Durante - lured the group to his throne, hoping it would allow him to tip the scales in his favor. With Zero, Estinien, Y’shtola, and Vrtra handling the shades of Golbez’s generals Zee rushed forward to defeat Zeromus and bring Azdaja back home. 

Zee pulled the Azem crystal from her neck and summoned her fighting party. Zeromus, like all voidsent, was unable to be killed. Attack after attack landed but it was in vain. With a staggering blow Zee’s leg prosthetic shatters. Estinien’s timely appearance distracted Zeromus from any final blows it was about to land, the others joining him shortly after. With Zeromus charging up one final magical blast, Golbez’ form dropped in front of her. He erected a shield, and Zee’s Echo triggered. She beheld what her companions had been up to while she had been fighting, Zero convinced him that their world was not hopeless. The spark of light aether swelled within Zero’s breast, and she called to it, producing a small light and placing it in Golbez’s hands. He could not be forgiven, but there was still hope. Golbez simply had to continue working towards the light to earn their help. The Echo faded, and Zee returned to herself. Forced to cling to her cane for support, she stood, not done fighting for Azdaja, the Thirteenth, and her own star. Unable to block the sudden fist attack Zeromus leveled at Zero, Zee watched in horror as her new beloved friend fell. Yet she was able to stand again, her weapon transformed to a shield and sword. The light within her sliced through Zeromus, and Azdaja’s soul floated bright and hot above them. Vrtra’s roar shook everything around them, calling his sister back to him with every fiber of his soul. Vrtra had Azdaja use his eye to take the form of a small dragonet. She was going home. The Thirteenth left with two leaders to beckon their star to a brighter future. It was bittersweet to say goodbye. Zee knew the Thirteenth would be better with Zero there to help. Yet it did not make their parting any less painful. They had rarely been separated since Zero’s arrival, Zee knew it would feel lonely without her companion day and night. Y’shtola gifting Zero with one of her familiars, so there would always be a beacon between them.

Upon their arrival back to the Source Zee was nearly knocked down when Ell came barreling in at the sight of her missing leg prosthetic. Or rather, what was left of it. Ell was a forward thinker and always had a spare with her. A fact only only true because of Zee’s propensity to break hers in battle. Ell would rather that than anything else being broken. After a quick stop in Garlemald to convey Zero’s thanks to Jullus, the group, with the surprise addition of the twins, make their way to Sharlyan to give an update. Though an invite from Vrtra for Azdaja’s coming home celebration made it a short stop for Estinien, Y’shtola, and Zee. A quick trip to the First required first before Zee could join in the revelry. She delivered the memoria crystal to Ryne, Zero’s hope that it might be the start to bringing a balance to both their stars. Zee arrived to a Radz-at-Han filled with feasting and music. For someone who was not one to drink much, Zee joined in the revelry with a surprising gusto. It had been nonstop fighting or recovering, and the party was a much needed time of celebration.

In the morning Zee awoke to a hangover, and a letter from Krile. She was needed back in Sharlyan. When she arrived Krile explained she was requested by Erenville to reach out to Zee, a surprise to them all that he had returned so soon. Filled with confusion Zee rushed to the Studium, wondering why her boyfriend would reach out to Krile to get her to Old Sharlyan. He explained he had returned from his home, Tural, and brought back a surprise guest. Wuk Lamat, claimant to the throne of Tuliyollal. The way Wuk Lamat and Erenville bantered left Zee in even more of a confusion. Wuk Lamat was bursting with energy, teasing Erenville left and right as she excitedly talked about her request. She wanted Zee to help her with the rite of succession, and her overwhelmingly positive and friendly attitude had Zee gravitating towards her in no time. With promises of great adventure, and possibly finding the Golden City, Zee and Wuk Lamat left to get better acquainted. Their sights set back on the Isle of Haam, Wuk Lamat, G’raha, Erenville, and Zee begin their hunt, though Erenville was only there as a guide. After rescuing a researcher from some overaggressive animals the group make it to their petitioners. There were more beasts that needed to be culled. But when a giant colibri plucked Wuk Lamat’s intended prey from the sky the group is forced to chase the bird away from the remaining researchers. The battle was a quick one, Krile rushing in at the end wielding Pictomancy to strike down the bird. Krile confided in them all her reasons for being so intent on joining in for the rite of succession; an old letter to her grandfather. A letter signed by Wuk Lamat’s father, Gulool Ja Ja. Before anymore could be discussed Wuk Lamat ushered them all away, ready to eat after all the fighting. A feast where Wuk Lamat tells them all about her and Erenville’s homeland. The birth of Tuliyollal, and the reason for the fight for succession. And her reason for needing to win; to prevent her eldest brother’s lust for conquest.

With time to think, Zee inadvertently recruits Alphinaud and Alisaie, even though she was still undecided. Her last time dealing with politics this closely did not end well, and Zee couldn’t help but be worried she would be played as another pawn in someone's game. G’raha, who saw the worry in his friend's eyes, reassured Zee. His words helped her make up her mind, she craved the adventure Tural promised her. With Krile, Alphinaud, and Alisaie by her side, Zee knew she would not be wanting for friends who had her back.

... It was a perfect time for a new adventure after all...

>>>> Zee Zalinos <<<<

----Below the read more is spoilers for ARR to Endwalker----

(Not super in depth but basically the Big Stuff so far for Zee's lore, also not super focused on Zee's relationships through everything, just events and especially where my other OCs play in to Zee's story~)

~ Pre-ARR ~

Zee was born under the second umbral moon, on the 24th day, and barely survived her first bells on the star. Searing with hot light aether when she was born, Zee was a tiny unknowing weapon as soon as she began to enter the world. Otsuyu, Zee’s mother, an extremely powerful mage in her own right, with the help of Zee’s grandmother, Sui, the mage who trained Otsuyu, were able to dispel the excess aether tiny baby Zee had mysteriously. Often Zee would think of her chronic pain as a symptom of her excess aether regenerating issues, her flare ups often aligning themselves with the pressure of too much aether. Though only taking on the name Zee once she had left her homelands, she has become more attached to it than her old name, never referring to herself or even giving a hint to others that Zee isn’t her birth name. But while in her homelands, a magically shielded hidden village in the mountains of [redacted], Zee grew up alongside 3 other children, 1 of which was her cousin. The village consisted of around 10 houses, all multigenerational, the warm days spent outside with the freezing nights huddled together as a family. Meals where always the way her family celebrated the most, Sui’s cooking notorious for bringing in ‘uninvited’ guests of their friends, knowing that Sui had cooked to share. Zee got her passion for cooking from her grandmother, a chore she insisted she start helping with before she dared to even speak yet. Zee was the youngest in her rather large family. She had 3 older brothers who were beginning to take over duties from their father, Kinichiro, one of the village leaders, and 4 older sisters that doted on her in between their busy days of work. She learned healing magic from her eldest sister, how to sew from her second oldest, how to manage plants and nurture them with both magic and mundane means, and how to hunt by her sister just 5 years older than her. While her sisters were involved deeply with Zee as she grew, her brothers were not. Only ever becoming close with {redacted}, Zee’s second oldest brother, the two were extraordinarily quick with their own magic, often rivaling both Otsuyu and Sui by the time Zee was 18. {Redacted} excelled in magics he could use for hunting and protecting the village, taking over as one of the shield mages of the village at just age 16. It was a quiet and isolated life from many outside cultures, traders would never come to the village but there was a decently sized market a few days' travel from their village that the hunters and artisans would bring things to sell every moon or so. Which meant most of Zee’s experience with, and knowledge of, the outside of her home village solely came from merchants and their goods. While Zee was happy with her life, she dreamed of traveling every inch of the star. She wanted to taste foods from different cultures, find different plants, see the wonders of the world around her, something she always felt was a betrayal to both her family and her homeland. On her 20th nameday Otsuyu and Sui presented Zee with their old cane, a gorgeous living branch blossoming with flowers, and clothes for travel. Giving their blessing to Zee to fulfill her dreams and then to come back home to tell them of all the places she has been to. 

~A Realm Reborn~ (~1 year)

The Start of it ALL; Leaving her home was like leaving a piece of herself behind, leaving her birth name safe with her family knowing she could never speak of her home village with anyone she would meet. It was what was keeping her family and friends alive and safe from Garlean invasion and massacre. Not long after she left when the Echo hit her with the force of a carriage chocobo, bringing with it dreams of unfamiliar familiar faces and lands that felt equally strange and normal. On her first day in Eorzea, still traveling but thankfully by chocobo carriage now, Zee had what she could only describe as a glimpse into the future, or maybe it was the present happening at that exact moment in her village, she didn’t know exactly, but a vision all the same. She saw her village in flames. Magitek armor looming in the sky, floating within what should have been the village’s shield. And bodies… so… so many bodies. Of family, of friends, people she couldn’t recognize any longer. A vision Zee often see’s in her worst moments when she closes her eyes. A string within her snapped, her connection to her home shattered. In her numbness Zee can barely remember her early days in Gridania. Joining the conjurer's guild, becoming an adventurer, meeting Papalymo and Yda, all murky memories to Zee as she is lost in nightmares in sleep and the pain of being, to her knowledge, the last alive from her home. Even meeting Minfillia was a muddled memory. So much lost to her haze of depression. Though an unlikely friend came in another new recruit to the Conjurer’s guild, an elezen named Ellaeuxlynn Estara. Ell even joined the Scions upon Zee’s offer. Though Ell dropped her Conjury skills in favor of becoming the Scions apprentice weaponsmith upon Tataru’s first offer to pay for her training. After her fight with Ifrit the dreams consumed in fire began, where she was, but not as herself, killed after losing a fight to a tall Xaela wreathed in blue flames. Titan's demise brought waves of instability and visions of herself as a tall Roegadyn dancing on the air as if she weighed nothing, her fists flying in the chaos of the earthquakes. Every primal slain brought more vivid dreams, and more and more pressure of being the Scions Weapon.

Weight of the Title begins; When Zee entered Coerthas for the first time she wished she could turn around and leave immediately. Cold, windy, and far away from friends it felt all to suspicious when Lord Haurchefaunt greets her with open arms and warm drink. When Zee and the Scions find out Thancred has been possessed by Lahabrea Zee sets out to bring him back alive, and succeeds as is expected of her. Despite being a healer she is a weapon fashioned to strike and win no matter the damage. And when Alphinaud comes to Zee with ideas to form the Crystal Braves she smiles and doesn't speak her fears, she is just their tool after all. The weight of the title has officially begun pressing upon Zee uncomfortably. Zee stops shaving her other horns down, which now sprout small pink flowers that glow as she heals.

Time to Fucking Panic; When Nanamo's assassination (attempt) happens and Zee and the Scions are forced to flee for their lives, the betrayal of the Crystal Braves rips into Zee's confidence. Her already shakey belief that Lord Haurchefaunt doesn't want to just use her lessens severely as Lord Aymeric's demands increase. Resigned to her role as their Tool Zee accepts anything they need of her to provide safety for Tataru and Alphinaud.

~~Heavensward~~ (~2.5 years)

The Lizard and the Dragons; Fleeing to Ishguard was never where Zee thought she would go after her first year in Eorzea was so eventful (in good and bad ways). And then for the locals to accuse her of being part dragon on top of Everything set Zee into a very guarded heart. Rarely did she allow herself to stop, to feel, to heal her emotional wounds and not just her physical ones. Ysayle was the first to get within the walls Zee had fortified since the betrayal. There wasn't a specific moment that the two became friends, but after a time, the two would often be found in the Cloudtop area just talking. The two women both desperate to be seen by the other and to be understood. After a year the two had such a strange bond not even Tataru could understand what Zee would 'report' back about. But Zee still needed to secure Tataru and Alphinaud (and herself) a safe home, and so she forced herself to do everything she was against, and did the bidding of Ishguard.

The Fall of Nidhogg; With Estinien's ever watchful eye making sure Zee did as promised *for Ishguard*, and Ysayle needing to contemplate her own biases, Zee and Estinien kill Nidhogg. They put an end to the Dragonsong War in the way Zee desperately wanted to avoid. And when Estinien gets his hands on Nidhogg's second eye and is possessed, Zee must return and report the bittersweet news to Ysayle. Together Ysayle and Zee return to Foundation frantic to put an end to the fighting. With Haurchefaunt by their side they are successful! Aymeric gets taken into custody for heresy so Zee cannot afford to celebrate any. At the end of The Vault Haurchefaunt dives in front of the magic spear thrown at Zee, she rushes forward in efforts to help him fend off this attack, and just as Zee gets to him he is speared through with Zee's right leg being struck right above her knee. As the magic fades and Haurchefaunt realized what happened, Zee does everything she can to cover up her own wound. She manages to retain consciousness until he dies and as her grief comes bubbling up Zee passes out.

Vengance; The next time Zee awakens her right leg has been amputated and it has been a few days since Haurchefaunt's death. Stephanievien tries his hand at crafting her a prosthetic meaning to perfect it over the course of a few months as she recovers, not expecting Zee to run off with it to chase after the Archbishop. Every step is agony for her as Zee experiences phantom limb pain with complications with her prototype prosthetic increasing the distress of it. Everyone insists Zee needs to rest but she won't give time to anything but getting to the Archbishop. Love Bird, or Shade at this time, makes their first move in the chaos of Zee's chase. And Azys Lla was able to keep them safe for much longer than Zee wished it had. With Ysayle sacrificing herself in a beautiful explosion of ice. Allowing Zee to finally reach the Archbishop and stomp out his flame and the primal he summoned. After their fight Zee collapsed, the grief, rage, and pain of everything she had just lost in just a few days catching up as Zee let down her guard. The first time Zee visits Haurchefaunt's grave she starts her tradition of writing, and reading letters to him. Later crafting and adding a headstone for Ysayle in Azys Lla and doing the same with letters to Ysayle.

~~~Stormblood~~~ (~3 years)

The Scions Are Back Together; Having lost a dear friend, and a friend she wouldn't allow to become dear to her, Zee immersed herself in her work. Every work she could get her hands on really. After getting Estinien back alive and putting an end to the Dragonsong War again Zee wanted nothing more than to loose herself to 'normal' Primal fighting and simple jobs. Y'shtola's return came with her becoming kinder to Zee an the two starting to slowly become friends, Thancred's return bringing with it similar shifts in mood. Urianger stayed distant still, after his betrayal with the Warriors of Darkness he stayed away still not thinking himself worthy to attempt to make friendly. Zee and Ellaeuxlynn are able to meet up with each other for the first time in 3 years and Zee sets Ell up in Ishguard when the Elezen shows interest in the Machinests and Stephanievien's mechanic work. Yda revealing herself as Lyse sparked a quick friendship with Zee much to Papalymo's liking, as he had been urging those girls together since day one after all. Papalymo was able to see the sparks of true friendship between Zee and Lyse before he gave his life to protect them all. Lyse and Zee often seeking out each other for comfort (and more) over the next several months.

Possibilities of Home and Peace; As things became more clear their next big move was an all out war on the Garlean Empire, Zee allows herself to dream of visiting her family. After hearing news of the massive Garlean attack in her home area, and about all the reported deaths, Zee gave up hope of ever hearing from her family again. She could not write to them due to their isolationist laws, and not many people even knew about her homeland, so there was good odds to her knowledge they survived. But in reality only 2 of her family survived the attack, the Garleans found and burned her homelands to the ground. Zee's dreams of home, a free home, mirrored that of Lyse's. It was so easy for Zee to throw herself head first into getting that dream to come true the best way she could, being their weapon.

Zenos' first victory left both a physical and mental scar on everyone in Rhalgar's Reach, Zee included. Shade, Love Bird's name at the time, reappears after their first clash at the end of Heavensward, fighting with more desperation and edge than Zee had seen from them before but still she ended victorious.

Gathering Even More for the Rebellion; As serious as everything surrounding Zee was, she still took such joys in meeting new people, helping them, and seeing their hope of freedom. Leaving The Ruby Sea to find Hein in The Azim Steppe truly changed Zee forever. From her home village of a handful of families to the vast stretches of the Steppe filled with numerous tribes of the Xaela shocked Zee to her core. Hein having been taken in by the Mol certainly helped Zee feel the most comfortable in their tents, but there was also some of her grandmother she couldn't help but see in Temulun. Especially with how the gods spoke to her, just like the spirits and elements did to her grandmother. Lyse, Cirina, and Zee become close friends in the time until the Naadam. Sadu beginning to show interest in Zee shortly after their first meeting, despite it being a rocky one. Learning more about each of the Xaela tribes truly changing how Zee approaches new peoples in the future. And helped her learn of different cultures of Au'ra! Inspired Zee begins to delve into creating her own spells using the techniques of her youth and those of the White Mage as she's learned here in Eorzea. Putting her first 'draft' to use in the Naadam didn't go as planned, but it did draw Sadu's attention to Zee once more in a much more focused way. When Grynewaht and his small team attacks with a familiar assassin, Zee calls the Xaela to battle for the Steppe. Emerging victorious, Lyse, Hein, Gosetsu, and Zee wrap up their time in the Steppe and return to Yugiri. The House of the Fierce repaired and ready to begin preparations to truly begin the war.

The Fight For Doma; Zee shares a quiet moment with Lyse before the sinking of the Doman Castle. A frantic, fleeting, intimate moment before, their first of many, big fights. And as Zee takes a moment to herself, a solitary Yol surprises her with an unexpected guest. Sadu snuck off to see Zee, confessing her attraction towards Zee and establishing her polyamourus status in request for their relationship. Zee surprised even herself with accepting right then and there, but there was something about Sadu that made Zee never want her to leave, and she needed to know more. After her eventful night of wooing women, Zee finally enters a peacefully dreamless sleep, an unusual occurrence for the Warrior of Light now.

As the sun rises they begin their assault on Doma Castle, encountering Shade shortly before their battle with Grynewaht, barely alive and severely injured from the testing the Garleans had done on him Zee asks Ellaeuxlynn (newly mechanist trained and originally stopping by to give Zee Ell's first attempt at a leg prosthetic. Zee asks her to fight with her, if Ell would like to, which Ell *immediately* accepted) to escape with Shade while she and the rest of the party took on Grynewaht one last time, and then to Yotsuyu. And a ceiling collapsing. Sun setting as a new Doma rises, Hein and Zee victorious, Gosetsu sacrificing himself to ensure their victory.

And the Fight for Gyr Abania; On the ship back to Lima Lominsa Zee and Lyse have ample time to talk about their relationship, and Zee's growing partner list. Both agreeing to keep their relationship more casual as the stress on Lyse and Zee both continue mounting. They spend the trip together, savoring the final moments of calm before landing. Taking the bridge officially begins their fight for Gyr Abania's freedom. M'naggo able to return home for the first time in many years begins her and Lyse's spark of love. Its not long until Zee is forced to confront Sri Lakshmi to protect Lyse and Alisae. And when Fordola made the call to fire on her own people, and the resistance lost Conrad as its leader, Lyse is chosen as their new leader. Raubahn showing Zee and Lyse his tiny home village, reminding Lyse of her fathers words, Liberty or Death. In the tension of the night before their journey to The Loch, Zee and Lyse spar both women leaders in their own right now. Bidding a still recovering Alisaie farewell, Alphinaud and Zee set off to meet up with Pipin to discuss the final operations of their plans, and to finally get Krile back.

Liberty or Death; Arriving in The Loch, Zee attends their first war table surrounded by so many others here to help, to fight. They would need to strike hard, fast, and take everything in one shot. Luckily a secret passage via a short swim in the saltwater gave them easy access once they get the key. After said swim, Zee, Lyse, and Thancred make to open the gates and finally rescue Krile. Along with Urianger's surprise help, the group defeats Fordola, Lyse declaring her intentions for Ala Mhigo, she will raise once again. With the Residential District safe, Zee turns her focus on her true enemy here, Zenos. After regrouping, they review their plan of attack before Zee and Alphinaud head off to begin the siege on Ala Mhigo. At the end coming face to face with Zenos. Zee could not falter here. While Fordola was to be spared she knew she could not show to same mercy to Zenos. Of course he was not so easy to down as expected, Zee's first win against him only leading to him enthralling Shinryu. Another confrontation ending in Zee's favor as she is victorious against the draconic primal, using the finished prototype of her Blood Lily Rage to grasp the advantage. Zenos slitting his own throat in his barely alive state, finishing Zee's job for her as Ala Mhigo welcomes a dawning new era. Lyse, with her heart heavy, leaves the Scions, taking full responsibility as her role as Ala Mhigo's leader. And where Lyse tearfully breaks up with Zee, her place with M'naago while's Zee's was traveling. Love Bird, still going by Shade at this point, awakens from the coma he was under, and begins doing small jobs for the scions. Their goodbyes were a hard one, but there was still some work to do before Zee's world would get flipped on it's head.

But before Zee starts her work, she takes a break on the Steppe, spending time with her relatively new girlfriend Sadu, and Sadu's girlfriend Cirina. Zee took a few months with the Dotharl (with frequent trips to the Mol as well), helping them, making more spells with Sadu, and assisting the Namazu in their festival preparations. Ellaeuxlynn stopping by with a gift of a new leg prosthetic, much lighter and more comfortable than her last. Easing some burden of the phantom limb syndrome Zee was experiencing, more help coming from a Xaela of the Mol tribe showing her some exercises with a mirror. Zee's first real break since coming to Eorzea, and a much needed one, as the weight of her title grew heavier, and the pedestal the Scions put her on only rose higher. On her return to Rhalgar's Reach, Arenvald tempts Zee with the prospect of a good, old fashioned adventure! Between that and Cid and Nero's Omega conundrum, Zee was glad to have stepped back with a break before getting back to work. With the summit turning to catastrophe with Sri Lakshmi being summoned by the Qayalan delegation, Zee and Arenvald are forced to protect the summit from tempering. Ending in Fordola's appearance on the battlefield, fighting for Ala Mhigo, not forgiveness. With mounting pressures of the Empire attempting to get Yotsuyu back, an amnesiac Yotsuyu at that, Zee returns to her duties as Warrior or Light fully once again. Though she doesn't know it yet, a seemingly resurrected Zenos is recovering from his death. Their newly won peace already balancing on a razors edge. Asahi's conniving return's Yotsuyu's memories with the weapon that was her parents, Yotsuyu summoning Tsukuyomi forcing Zee to take her down, Yotsuyu killing her brother with the final ounce of her strength. Tsuyu truly did deserve a far kinder fate...

The Hiccups Begin; In hopes to use his skills in conversation, Alphinaud makes his way to the Garlean Empire with Maxima, but a surprise attack throws their plans off from the start. Frantic to help when Thancred only hears two word, 'The Burn' from Alphinaud in his attempt to stealthily follow, leading the Scions to make their way to the crash. After a trip there with a small group of Scions Zee and Y'shtola notice both the ship crash and Allagan ruins. Forced to return with no sign of Alphinaud, Y'shtola leads their focus as they fight their own anxieties. A trip to the Steppe in search of more Allagan ruins leads to Zee and Sadu sparring all out with each other. Magnai rudely interrupting their not so subtle battle flirting, though Y'shtola and Hein stepped in to let the couple have more alone time fighting. Zee deciding their final round the perfect moment to show Sadu their perfected Blood Lily Rage, taking a significant portion of Zee's overall 'health' to the Blood Lily, being rewarded with her cane following her emitting pulsing damage while Zee absorbs the magic into melee hand weapons, spikes of magic surrounding her hands as Zee enters a state of pure rage. Whilst under the Blood Lily Rage Zee cannot differentiate enemy from ally, this is meant for 1v1s, or when she must do anything to win. Sadu, thoroughly spent from the loss, still finds energy to tussle with Magnai as the Scions leave to finish their work.

~~~~Shadowbringers~~~~ (~7.5 years on the First)(>0.5 on the Source)

A Contagious Coma; During a meeting amongst the Leaders Zee is hit with a searing headache, and not just Zee but the Scions as well, a hauntingly familiar voice pleading to her. And then Thancred collapses. Not just Thancred, but a lone Viera in Mor Dona, going by 'Bird', who had once gone by 'Shade', collapses during his routine chores. Rushing back to Mor Dhona, Zee, Alisaie, and Y'shtola regroup with Urianger in hopes to put together more clues about this mystery, but the voice calls out once again and Y'shtola and Urianger both collapse. Alisaie and Zee left to panic over their dwindling number from a mysterious coma attack. Luckily Krile decided to rush over to help, with Alphinaud still gone the Scions needed every available hand to figure out the mounting mysteries. During an unsuccessful trip to Matoya to use her knowledge and crystal eye, Alisaie is contacted about some Garlean defectors arriving in Ala Mhigo. While talking with Maxima Alisaie and Zee are hit with another migraine attack, though both women are still standing when the migraine ends thankfully. The rising of a new allagan constructed barrier to protect Doma is put to the test by an imperial airship attempting to pass. When the wall holds the ship lands and a mysterious man emerges carrying an unconscious Alphinaud. Gaius, it turns out, has been hunting ascians since his defeat in Praetorium, a fateful re-encounter with the Warrior of Light. Yet Zee cannot truly throw herself into figuring out what is happening to the Scions as her presence is requested by Varis at a meeting between him and the Eorzean alliance leaders. During which Varis reveals his Ascian masters and his plans for blood and destruction. Despite Zee's victory in The Gymlit Dark, there is no time for celebration as Alisaie drops unconscious after yet another migraine attack. Now the Scions are down the majority of their big members, and Zee is left to agonize over the mystery of it all. And if only to add another heaping of stress onto Zee's shoulders, after defeating Zenos once again a migraine attack hits her at the worst time and she is cut down by the Ascian possessed Zenos, opening her eyes in a strange void... with a strange figure... and a celestial floor beneath her. Estinien's timely arrival is the only reason Zee survived, though he stayed for thanks, Aymeric bid Zee return 'home' a phrase that hit her like a truck as she truly felt alone again. Alone on her pedestal. But a warm conversation with Count Edmont de Fortemps helped raise Zee from the depression spiral she was beginning down as the pressure continued to rise. With nowhere else to go, Zee makes her way to the Crystal Tower, after a stop at the Rising of course, with the surprise guest of Ellaeuxlynn. She was there to help out more close to the Scions base, Rowena providing her adequate crafting facilities while Ell worked on her newest invention whilst helping Tataru and the Ironworks. It didn't take long for Zee's gut to lead her to the beacon in question once she was able to search the Crystal Tower, the migraine attack came stronger, more painful, and clearer than ever before, and she faded into the voice between stars.

Gates Throw Wide; Bright, searing, white sunlight surrounded Zee as she awoke on a different star. Purple foliage everywhere and the agonizing migraine dulling slowly. An oddly familiar traveler pointed Zee in the direction of The Crystarium, and a curt Viera guarding the gates until a familiar stranger arrives after the gatekeeper slays a mysterious 'Sin Eater'. After getting more of her head wrapped around the basics of the Crystarium and Norvrandt as a whole, Zee is given a room by the Crystal Exarch and left to rest. A hard thing to do when the ghost of Ardbert begins to speak to her, warning Zee that this world cannot be saved. With her eyes on the bright midnight, Zee agonizes to herself in bed unable to sleep. Worries for the Scions, and for the future Urianger apparently glimpsed, overwhelming her completely. In the morning Zee gets more information from the Exarch about where her companions have scattered. Urianger in Ill Mheg, Y'shtola in Raktika, 'Bird' working with Alisaie in Amh Araeng, and Alphinaud in Kholusia. Zee, forced to choose between which twin to go to first, goes to Kholusia to check in with Alphinaud first.

A Circus amongst Disaster; A tiny 'village', if you could even call it that, was near the exact last place Zee expected to find Alphinaud. It took every ounce of willpower for Zee to not immediately hug him once he entered the tiny tavern, but she couldn't prevent the tears. She had been so gods damned worried that seeing Alphinaud doing well while doing his best to help out broke her usual high emotional walls down. Zee had never cried in front of any of the scions up until now. Both a part of the pedestal they have raised her to, and Zee trying to uphold the image of the hero still. On their way to the gaudily brilliantly colored city in the distance Zee takes on her first of many Sin Eaters. And upon reaching Gatetown a whole spectacle happens when two jester looking women enter seeking people and offering bags of 'meol'. Worst of all the people just sit and wait for their lucky moment to come, their expertise sought out from the rich squirreled away in their tower. Doing what she could for those in need, the added burden of another star to save begins to sink upon Zee's shoulders. Their first attempt at a way into Eulmore is equally stolen and given away to a young Kai-Shirr, and Zee and Alphinaud are left to figure out another way. Helping out a poor victim of Eulmore, Tristol, who was thrown from the city on Vauthry's command, Zee's rising disdain for the city only grew as Tristol recounted his story. Once safe in Wright Tristol offers Alphinaud his brush, and their second attempt at Eulmore begins. The next time the jester twins made their appearance, Tristol's brush was the exact key they needed to unlock the gates to Eulmore.

Zee and Alphinaud go to meet their Patrons, the 'Chais', Alphinaud putting his skills of speech to the test so the both were allowed to stay. Allowed the roam for a short while, Zee returns to Alphinaud in a new outfit before he sends her out for a bit more thorough search. During which she meets a Drahn singer with a lump in her throat. Her patron comes to find her and there Zee learns what Lord Vauthry is peddling to his citizens; the sin eaters are there to ascend those of pure souls. Of course only with Lord Vauthry's word can one go to this place of no illness or pain, a lie too good to be true. When the jesters announce a 'malcontent' being shown justice, the two are met with the sight of Kai-Shirr bleeding profusely on the ground. The room is filled with everything decadent and delicious, and inhabited by a smattering of sin eaters cooing over Lord Vauthry at the center. There more of the horrors of Eulmore are made clear. Alphinuad and Zee get Kai-Shirr safe, leaving Eulmore's lord to his temper tantrum. Departing Khalousia to return to the Crystarium, Zee barely arrives back before she departs to Amh Araeng and to Alisaie.

The Weight Descends; Before arriving at where Alisaie is, Zee and her guide stop by Mord Souq, a bustling market in the midst of the sands. On their way to leave, Cassard is spotted by a friend, Tesleen, who immediately knows just exactly who Zee is. With Cassard opting to stay at the market, Tesleen takes over as Zee's guide to the Inn at Journey's Head. She never expected the Inn to be more infirmary than a place for travelers, and no Alisaie in sight, though a suspiciously familiar seeming viera tended to patients around. Setting off to surprise her, Zee finds Alisaie finishing off a stray sin eater. Zee kept herself from throwing her arms around Alisaie until they had a moment to debrief each other, apologizing for taking so long to get to her, to everyone. Upon their return to the Inn, Zee and Alisae take to helping out with Tesleen's chores, Zee tending to some of the inflicted. She spoke to them of her adventures while she bathed and tended to them. After another stop at Mord Souq for a fresh nectarine, Zee, Alisaie, Tesleen, and a newly introduced Love Bird, sit down for some stew. Tesleen shares about her mother, about caring for the inflicted, and about peacefully putting them out of their misery, to keep them from turning. A moment of calm before Halric goes missing and Tesleen, Zee, Love Bird, and Alisaie split up in search, desperate to find him before any sin eaters do. Tesleen makes ito Halric just in time, but is turned into a sin eater in front of all their eyes, the true agony of it fully on display. Zee Love Bird, and Alisaie manage to bring Halric back safe, Alisaie resolving there and then to balance the light.

Even if it takes years...

It felt like Zee had scarcely touched down back in the Crystarium when the attack on Holminster Switch began. The knowledge of her home, the source, mirroring these shards. That the rejoinings were entire stars dissolving into nothingness. Being absorbed. That each of the calamities on the source was caused by a star rejoining. It was all too much to wrap around her head. Now she was needed in battle. Desperate to protect all she could. As they made their way to the Lightwarden the knot of dread wound tight in Zee's stomach. Once the lightwarden fell, Zee absorbed the white hot aether left behind, and was rewarded with the sight of the night sky for the first time in just weeks for her, centuries for others. The burden of Hero, of Warrior, was ever a struggle for Zee to carry, but she was the only one who could. And she would become the Warrior they needed, it was her burden to bear. Ardbert comes to haunt Zee in her room once again, filled with bitterness. He would continue to follow her, to watch as she did what he could not.

The Warrior of Darkness Has Come; The effort to dissipate the lightwarden's aether only hit Zee the next day, unable to move she suffered a severe flare up of her chronic pain along with bouts of muscle spasms. It had seemed too easy when the sky split to a vast night sky with just the slightest tug of effort from her, beside the fight of course. But now her body truly was suffering the light. Using just her cane, no prosthetic, for near the first time since getting it, Zee rests for a while. Soaking up the joy of the residents of the Crystarium while still veiled behind secrecy as the one who helped cause their joy. It was over a moon later when Zee was able to get back to fighting at all, an Eulmorian emissary, General Ran'jit, telling the Exarch that if they mean to kill lightwardens Eulmore will take it as a declaration of war. With Eulmore having the Oracle of Light imprisoned as well, the Exarch meets with some leaders of the Crystarium, asking if they would go to war for the night. The stars are worth the price of gaining them, and so Lakeland and Kholusia officially go to war. In hopes of getting the Oracle safely away from Eulmore's custody, and maybe find Thancred in the process. With the Amaro they plan to drop sleeping powder on Eulmore in hopes of a quick in and out rescue, though things can never go quite to plan. Despite Ran'jit getting the upper hand over Zee, Thancred's perfect timing allows them to escape to Ill Mheg with Minfillia safely with them. Love Bird, who had gone to Ill Mheg a short while after the night sky returned to Lakeland, caught in a conundrum of his own making with the Pixies.

The Branch and Their Adorable Sapling; 5 years since last seeing Thancred had changed him dramatically. No longer the stealthy fighter he fought in front now, gunblade in hand, a protector now since he has a charge to care for. Though a land of pixies isn't the best place for a serious talk and reunion as the small group of Scions realize they have an audience. So into the pixie fog they go, in hopes of reaching Urianger before the pixies get their little hands fully around the Scion's minds. Whilst looking for a looking grass they come upon a shockingly pink little bunny sprinting towards them as fast as its little feet could carry itself. Luckily with Urianger's knowledge, given to Thancred, the pixies are revealed and the pink bunny poofs back into Love Bird. The poor viera having been stuck as a bunny for a few weeks now, the Pixies main new toy until the group arrived. In exchange for the Pixie's spell dropping the group agrees to help around their town, planting flowers and hearing about the men that used to live there and how the Pixies have been making it their own. After some prompting from Thancred Zee calls out for Feo Ul to come help. Even if it took Zee a couple tries to get her summoning correct. The scolding Zee received from her most mightiest and loveliest of branches was a good deal of a surprise but watching Feo Ul work their magic with the other pixies. These lands of everlasting spring were turning out to be a favorite for Zee. The abundance of nature and beauty of the land took her breath away as the pixie fog fell. Urianger even seemed to take to it, changing his old hooded look for a much more suiting one. Whatever happened with the pixies and he, Urianger came out the other side a more confident man in himself. But before the happy reunion can begin Urianger presses to tell Zee his vision of the future, of her own death and the death of every Scion. Setting their sights on their true purpose to be in Ill Mheg, the Lightwarden, the group returns with the added company of Urianger. The pixies were more than happy to hand over their piece, the dress, of the key to Titania, with the Fuast being more effort on the group's part. Zee only escaping drowning thanks to the Kojin's blessing they regroup and take a little bit to rest. Zee decided to cook for the group, the first time for Urianger, but she had not done it near enough. After much needed rest, spending the night telling each other stories of their adventures, they continued to their next piece. The Nu Muo, who were most ecstatic to see 'men', doing some trading and odd jobs for the folk there in exchange for the scepter, the key piece. Despite the Eulmorian force threatening to break in at any moment, the process of collecting key pieces had been going exceedingly smooth and with a small collective of talking being the next fae folk to talk with Zee hoped it would continue. Seto, the giant, amaro elder spoke fondly of his master from many many years ago, Ardbert. Getting the last piece needed to take on Titantia right when Ran'jit shows his face on the field, Thancred and Minfillia rush to stop them while Zee and Love Bird run to take down Titania. And with her defeat Zee takes on her second mote of lightwarden aether.

Her loveliest of branches take the keys to becoming Ill Mhegs new Titania before hurrying away to deal with the trespassers. Taking some weight from the trembling shoulders of Zee as the side effects to her aether 'consumption' begin to settle into her body. This time it took effect within an hour, Zee collapsing before they could depart back to the Crystarium. Forced to stay with the pixies for several moons Zee slowly recovers. It took her a whole moon before she was able to sit upright, and another before she was able to walk with her cane's support again. Luckily the everlasting days of spring, now with the soft blanket of night, was a perfect place to force the hero to rest. Though Zee is not one who can sit idle even when she cannot get out of bed, and so she went out on a limb and asked Urianger to teach her Astrologian magics. While she would never and could never leave her cane and soulstone behind, learning the stars and their magic were much easier in the living floral wheelchair the pixies crafted for her. While it wouldn't work outside of Ill Mheg, Zee used it near everyday while recovering, the odd groaning and catching her prosthetic giving off concerned her greatly to wear. Despite Urianger teaching her, Zee still refused any healing when he offered.

Five moons later Zee is finally able to return to the Crystarium. Limping back to the Crystarium, Zee is confronted by a very unexpected Emet Selch. A new follower on her journey, though much less welcome than Ardbert; even with his scoldings Zee couldn't help but have a soft spot as she uncovered the truth of this world's Warriors of Light. But she still needed to gather one more Scion, Y'shtola in the Rak'tika Greatwood, now with an extra bit of baggage with Emet Selch making note he is watching them. His show of good faith of course.

Into the Woods; Zee and her traveling companions, Minfillia, Thancred, Love Bird, with Urianger leading, made their way to the last place he had known Y'shtola to be. Extremely surprised to then be surrounded by archers and spearmen on all sides. A certain 'Master Matoya' unable to see Zee's aether as it is slowly being consumed by light. Though the two women had not been known to get along before, they were growing closer in the moons before she was swept away to the first. For Y'shtola that had been almost 4 years ago, and she wanted to make up for that time, to make up for the times she did not treat Zee as a person, but a weapon. Luckily no arrows were loosed as the misunderstanding is cleared up and the reunited scions gather to discuss everything together. While Y'shtola deciphers the tablet Zee, Love Bird, and Minfillia made their way around Slitherbough talking with the locals and introducing themselves. The three going on a small journey to retrieve a jade heartstone, allowing a lost soul, Toddia, to be guided to the sunless sea through her heartstone. Her funeral was a somber and beautiful one, but only seemed to crush Zee a little more under her title, now two titles with The Warrior of Darkness being one of them. Y'shtola calls to meet as she has translated the tablet as best as possible and needed to go into some unwelcome territory to finish the last pieces. It was a short trip, Ardbert's comments helped Zee learn more than expected with his insight from his time alive. As dinner was ready Zee went to get Urianger and Y'shtola, only to overhear their concerns for her. The light was obviously an issue more than she could see herself, one that Y'shtola's aether sight saw bright as the daylight around them. The Scions, ever trying to help Zee in ways she could only describe as behind her back, and Zee, desperate to live up to the Scion's expectations of her. She knows herself to be their weapon, it is all she can see herself as. A weapon needed now as the Eulmoran forces and the Children of the Darkness combine forces and march into Slitherbough. After a quick swim to get a Ronkan Seal, the Scions depart deeper into the wood to Yx'Maja. It had been 30 years since Love Bird had last been amongst Viera (Viis), and the three Viis women who attack them as they enter take up his entire focus, even getting an arrow to his arm for his lack of awareness. They are bid to follow the Steps of Maja, the azure flowers to the Viera's home. Love Bird hardly containing himself as he takes off running after the three women.

Almet, Ulmet, and Cymet, welcome everyone to the town of Fanow, Love Bird walking the whole thing over and over as if it was familiar to him already. Leaving him to his reverential wandering Zee and the rest of the Scions speak to Almet, learning about Ronka's fall and its emperor's last decree. Though Almet did not know the Lightwarden's whereabouts another Viis did, and so a small group of Yshtola, Almet, Love Bird, and Zee go to The K'mul Astropolis in search of a key to the Lightwarden's home. Cymet shows up in a panic, the Eulmorans had arrived and were invading Yx'Maja. Forced to speed up their puzzle solving Zee went first into the ruins, fetching the statue key to the locked doors inside and into the Great Pyramid of Ux'ner. Frantically avoiding traps and hiding from sentinels only ended with a clash with Ran'jit and a collapse of more ruins. Though it allowed them to learn of the Blessed poisoning, and s scheming Eulmorian attempting to negotiate until Ran'jit kicks him off, Y'shtola throwing herself off to grab the antidote and throw it to Zee. Minfillia, Thancred, and Urianger are able to strike a blow on Ran'jit, but he too is lost to the chasm below. After the antidote is given to the Blessed Zee recounts the moments after Y'shtola fell, A surprise Emet Selch shows up and, in an attempt to gain their trust, plucks her from the Lifestream. There is no slowing down though, and Zee leads them towards their next target, the third Lightwarden.

As Ever, she is victorious. And still standing... Until several loud groaning metallic moans are heard from her prosthetic and it explodes. Catching herself with her cane Zee wobbles, Emet's untimely arrival bringing with him haunting stories of a time long past. During his story flashes of a kind face with bright rainbow eyes, of days in the sun amongst nature, of very unfamiliar faces that Zee knew wholeheartedly. Despite her past collapses Zee remained able to walk with the help of her cane, for the most part, though it was obvious to some she was struggling. Love Bird kept nearby her, offering a hand whenever she tripped or wobbled, yet Zee felt like they were all treating her with kid gloves. Y'shtola even talking to her about the concern of her Lightwarden slaying, the mounting evidence of her absorbing the light aether nearly overwhelming now. Their trip back to the Crystarium was long and Zee rapidly started to deteriorate. By the time they had arrived and regrouped everyone was telling Zee to rest immediately, and the Exarch began work on getting her a new leg prosthetic.

She did not wake for a moon.

It was nearly 8 moons before she could stand without throwing up, another 3 before she could walk with the new prosthetic the Exarch had made. A little over a year before she could even think of using magic, every time before causing her an intense migraine and severe vertigo for nearly a week. Zee is forced to ask Y'shtola and Urianger to perform her family ritual so she doesn't end up a walking bomb of aether, the two agree immediately of course and show up every moon to help from there after. Before she could even think of magic Zee had to work on getting back into fighting shape, taking up a non magical weapon to train with. At first Thancred tried to teach her the gunblade but the aether infused bullets quickly became an issue when Zee collapsed after a training session. It wasn't until Love Bird came by, offering his old Chakrams to her as he had taken up the Claymore when he arrived on the first. Love Bird taught her to dance sitting first, Feo Ul insisting on the Pixies delivering her floral wheelchair to the first, along with a small pouch of King Titania's magic in order to power it around the Crystarium. Zee learned everything modified first as a dancer, learning how she could use her body in so many ways she refused to allow herself. Soon Minfillia joined in on her training, Thancred often watching and chatting with Love Bird as the others spared. Zee had hardly started training with magic again when a great wave of sin eaters began making their way to the Crystarium.

Barely standing after the battle is over, Zee shakily helps those injured she can, she is a healer after all. What use would she be if she couldn't do this much at least. Lyna trying to avoid her help allows Zee to see a side of herself she could not see before then. A Captain overextending herself. A leader pushing herself to the brink over and over with her comrades knowing perhaps a tiny percentage of how far she was truly going. Someone who cannot bare to lose anyone and yet must watch those she loves get hurt or killed. A healer, a support, who refused to be supported. As the Scions are called to meet with the Exarch over Vauthry's announcement, Minfillia makeing up her mind to meet with the "true" Minfillia and become the true Oracle of Light.

Where She Saved Them All; Yet, needing a way to Nabaath Areng, Thancred, Urianger, Zee, and Minfillia all make their way to Twine in hopes of getting the trollies back up and running. Magnus, the lead trolley engineer, was too drunk and depressed to help, a few of the younger helpers taking on the task of repairing the tracks. Even when Thancred opened up to Magnus about those he had lost, he was stuck in his drunkard stasis. But they still need a new Talos heart, meeting Guthjon, a miner close by mine, who helps them uncover an engraved Talos heart. Engraved with a message of love from Magnus' lost wife, Agna. Minfillia leaning upon Urianger for support as she continues to think the Other Minfillia is better, and worse, than Thancred, that everyone hates her. Now with the Talos up and "running" (walking), Minfillia and her odd little family unit are that much closer to the Oracle of Light. And in the morning Magnus is no longer drunk, ordering his team around like the proper leader he is, finally.

They head off to the trolley, their Talos in front, and Thancred and Minfillia both in their own heads about what is to come. Magnus, Thaffe, and Jeryk bid the group good luck and goodbye as the trolley rolls forward for the first time in many many years. Yet Ran'jit, as ever, interrupts their progress, knocking the trolley from the tracks and getting Minfillia to finally speak from her heart. Declaring that the Scions, the Warriors of Darkness, are her family, her family she will fight for. Thancred staying to fight Ran'jit as Zee and Minfillia take off running down the tunnel. For those we have lost... For those we can yet save... They have to fight, to stand up in the face of pain and suffering and continue on in hope To fashion it into a blade. Thancred succeeds allowing Zee and Minfillia to reach their destination, the top of the castle. There Minfillia and the Oracle are able to speak, where the Oracle bestows her all to Minfillia after the girl bared her heart, shared her dream. Before she departed the Oracle, desperate to make Zee understand, warns the Hero; She cannot stand alone. The weight of two worlds is impossible to bear alone. Even one world you cannot possibly not be crushed by it. Light consumed the three, and Zee awakened to find Minfillia changed. Together as a whole group for the first time in a very long time, Minfillia is renamed by her father, now Ryne, 'blessing' in Fae. With no time to rest the Scions turn to the next Lightwarden, Love Bird coming along to allow Thancred to recover from his previous fight. As Zee absorbed the light from the slain Lightwarden she felt several of her ribs crack as she became overwhelmed by it immediately, her hair and limbal rings turning pure white, and her family cane snapping in two.

The Price; Zee had made the First home for nearly 4 years, more than a year and a half spent recovering from the Lightwarden's deaths. She could hide the burden of it no longer, not that she was doing well at it before. Love Bird had to carry her from the Well, she did not have the strength to stand or stay awake for the most part. Zee drifted between consciousness and dreaming their entire trip back to the Crystarium. Y'shtola managed to get Zee to agree to her and Urianger's healing, the two finding Zee's skin and scales cracking and bleeding as the light aether attempted to force its way out of her. Where the light wounds were the worst her blood was iridescent, a soft glow coming from the severely injured Hero. Just before they arrive at the Crystarium Zee slips into another coma like sleep. In her sleep she dreams of Ardbert, of several unfamiliar familiar faces, of a woman with long rainbow hair and rainbow eyes. Zee dreamed of pasts she did not know, of homes she never lived in, of beloved friends and family she had never met... and yet, Zee knew she was not herself. It was like she was just watching, her body moved for her and mouth moved on its own, all she could do was move her eyes. Living through life after life, awakening a year later...

Zee could not know what her friends were doing while she recovered, but they tended to her daily. Urianger and Ryne often read stories aloud to her. Y'shtola would update sleeping Zee every evening with what had happened that day and what she needed to do tomorrow, often falling asleep in the room and being found when the next Scion's "shift" was up. They had never agreed to any schedule set in any real time, but each Scion had a usual time of day or night they would come by, sometimes even stumbling across the Exarch caring for Zee. Alisaie nearly moved into the room, several small cots already having been brought in for Urianger, who, knowing Zee's extreme particularity with who heals her, spent his days as her live in healer. But Urianger always made Alisaie return to her room every few days to force a break on her. Alphinaud took over as a second healer when Zee had been asleep for 4 moons, Urianger had been operating on fumes and desperately needed a break. All the Scions who did not know, except Thancred (due to his limitations), were taught Zee's ritual of aether dispersal, every single one of them coming to it every moon no matter what. Love Bird made sure to keep her clothes clean and worked tirelessly with the Exarch in an attempt to mend her cane. Y'shtola, Alisae, and Ryne took turns bathing Zee as best they could in bed every other day. Thancred always helped the Crystarium cleaning staff clean the room, waking up Urainger, and often Alisaie as well, so they get breakfast. He took up the role of making sure the scions who were pushing themselves didn't push themself to far. The scions, finally able to truly see the pain Zee has gone through for everyone. To see the agony the light caused, and was still causing. For some it was their first time seeing Zee as... Zee... and not The Hero... The Warrior of Light, of Darkness...

Zee took another year of recovering. A hard year of barely being able to heal, but a year more of learning to dance with Love Bird, Alisaie often joining in on lessons for fun. Her relationships with each of the scions blossomed, they truly became family at that time. And when she was finally able to return, forced to pick up a new cane as her family cane still could not be repaired, but also carrying with her chakrams if there is ever a time she cannot cast.

When Paradise Falls; 2 years after she killed the last lightwarden Zee and the scions are able to focus on the final lightwarden is Kholusia. Eulmore filled with enthralled people, Gatetown filled with people just staring at the city, and Kai-Shirr acting as the Crystarium's informant. Ryne reacts in horror when presented with Meol, telling everyone that it is made from sin eater flesh, altering his people with tainted light. Left with no choice but to storm the city Zee and the scions charge forth, toward the final lightwarden. Defeating Ran'jit was no easy feat but Zee is able to all the same, bursting through Vauthry's doors to see him gorging on Meol, all his sin eaters gone now. The final lightwarden feasting until he finally flies off into the sunlight. Yet as he flew away the ground began to tremble as an entire mountain was torn from the ground and lifted into the heavens. Forced to stop their rush to kill the final lightwarden, the scions shift focus to helping the people recover. Ryne is able to undo their tempering and as the people of Eulmore regain their strength Alphinaud explains what has come to light. Chai-Nuzz semi-forced into taking lead on the talos repairs with help from other Eulmoren citizens, all in hopes of getting the ladder moving once again. Emet-Selch making an appearance as usual, hinting at things he almost hopes Zee remembers.

It took an entire moon before the two talos were repaired and ready to work the Ladder once more, and once they were in working order the Ladder ran for the first time in 20 years. Yet they still were unable to reach Mt Gulg. Air travel was out of the question due to the sin eaters in the sky, they needed to fashion a way to have the ground meet the sky. Dulia-Chai's offhand comment sparks the fires of creativity in her husband and he begins to design plans to figure out just how much help will be needed. People from all over the First gather to help, a sight that made Zee want to cry with happiness. The scions all focused on leading their groups in work, the Exarch having some issues being so far from the tower for so long. He wanders away from everyone and faints near a rock, confiding in Zee his crystal limbs and the phantom limb symptoms caused by the crystal growths. Zee talks about her own experiences, talks about her plans once she is returned home, and then turns the questions towards the Exarch. He tells her of his hopes, letting a few too many details to be spoken, and Zee finally catches on truly to who the Exarch really is. Though she does not press his identity, she knew a friend had been by her side through this entire adventure. A friend she had thought lost.

Ascending to the top of the volcano of Mt Gulg Zee and Love Bird leave the rest of the Scions to take on the remaining sin eaters while they continue up to take on Vauthry. A quick fight initially before the sin eater fully takes him over, though one with Zee still standing victorious in the end. Her friends rush in just as the fully reborn lightwarden falls. Zee takes on the last bit of the light, her second prosthetic breaking, exploding in a violante manner. The Exarch appeared just in time to take on the light before Zee turns, his hood falling and finally confirming Zee's suspicions. G'raha Tia falls to a bullet from Emet-Selch, Zee still embroiled in light. Emet-Selch clearly stating his judgment of mankind, a failure all from Zee's inability to contain the light. He tells her she is nothing more than a sin eater now, one who is able to retain her shape and mind... for now. Just before she faints Emet-Selch calls for her to meet him in Amaurot, for her to fall to the light there in... solitude.

Ryne worked on Zee for 4 moons before she was able to awake. When she awoke she was taken aback by a regrown limb, her right thigh covered in glowing scars creeping towards her torso from the uncanny looking knee, calf, and foot now attached to her. She had no feeling anywhere on the new growth, even taking a knife to herself in a desperate confusion. Her scales were mirrored on the growth, but they were stark white and glowing. Yet the foot that grew was more beast than her other, a draconic claw in place of what Zee expected. She could not bare to look in the mirror. Not only was her eyesight severely limited by the overwhelming light, but she had a hard time keeping her eyes open for more than an hour. Her speech was affected as well, unable to speak more than a handful of words. Everyone could see she was in agony. The new lightwarden of Norvrandt.

Once Zee was able Love Bird helped get her to check in with the people of the Crystarium, for her to hear how happy everyone is that she is alive. Love Bird had quickly taken up a position of helper for her, when she could not walk he would carry her, when she could not respond he would help her by speaking. When she needed space he would help her find a secluded spot near the amaro and go do errands or, often, just talk a walk. Ardbert often would sit with her then, doing his utmost to comfort her. On a quiet day he requests some time with Zee, their conversation uplifting her spirits right as Feo Ul barges in. Their offer of the Fae crown tickled Zee in a way she didn't know she needed, even offering sound sturdy advice to their beloved spaling before departing. Just as Zee goes to depart for the Tempest all her beloved scions arrive, Urianger begging for forgiveness, ever the one needing to be secretive. The scions confirm their bonds to each other, getting a surprise when Lyna and a wave of locals come to offer their help as well. Getting a lecture from Alisaie, so similar to the one Zee was used to hearing so often from Feo Ul, they depart to bring the Exarch back home, along with the night sky on a more permanent basis.

The Ascian Issue; Their first stop to the bottom of the ocean was to a familiar whale, calling for Zee's beloved branch when Bismark did not want to awaken. With the King of the Fae’s scolding their Fae friend as Bismark unseats itself from the lake as they begin the journey to Amaurot. Unknowingly depriving the Ondo of water in their home the scions endeavor to help where they can, apologizing profusely for their haste. Despite everything Zee slowly made her way around, Love Bird acting as her mouthpiece and often seen carrying her through the more rocky places of the ocean floor. Helping was the only thing that felt remotely good to Zee now. The scions were rewarded for their effort with some directions to the underwater city they spoke of. Opening the sealed entrance easily, the scions set their eyes upon Amaurot. Finding the doors yielding to Zee's voice alone they all set forth together to explore the looming city. A haunting city filled with giant masked people. Mistaken for a group of roaming children the scions all take off in search for Emet-Selch. While registering for residency Zee strikes up conversation with a very familiar shade, Hythlodaeus. A kind and calming presence amidst the pain of the light aether. Hythlodaeus knows the truth after all, Emet-Selch always knew he did. He tells Zee about the Final Days, of so many sacrificed lives with plans for so so many more in the future. He spoke of Emet and his stubbornness, strong enough to carry him to the end of his plans. Of the weight of 12 thousand years, of so many of his fellow ancients sacrificed in hopes to be reborn. And Zee felt that weight too. Maybe not as much as what Emet-Selch carried, but it also could be heavier. 7 stars, once 14, hang in the balance. When Zee is called, Hythlodaeus stops her, taking note of Ardbert by her side. Explaining to Zee that she can see and hear him because they are part of the same sundered soul. Hythlodaeus notes he would never mistake the color of Her soul, how it was ever shifting in hue. Every color melting into the rainbow that was Her soul. It was time to make their way to meet with Emet-Selch, Zee spoke with everyone, each voicing their unbridled support for her. In her mind Zee does not return from Amaurot. This is as much her tomb as it will be Emet-Selch's.

Fate can be cruel, but a smile better suits a hero... And they must press on, for this star and all the rest who can yet be saved.

Meeting with Emet-Selch in the Capitol they draw clear lines in the battlefield. Emet can not and will not stray from his path, they are not even true living beings to him. Not worthy of life for any other purpose than to be sacrificed for his loved ones. Into the fires of the FInal Days he walks, awaiting to strike down or be struck down. The only way this can ever end. Emet kept his promise that she would witness the end of a world, and Zee kept hers of meeting him at the end. He knocks out most of the scions, Alisaie dashing forward in a desperate hope to puncture the Ascian. Alphinaud protects his sister from Emet-Selch's onslaught as Zee finds the strength to stand. She would not let her companions fall, even if that meant she became consumed by the light. With some support from the scions Zee is able to inch ever onwards towards her target, the light bursting forth as she continues to fight the sin eater within her. Thancred and Ryne rushed forward to help, yet also falling when Emet's spell struck through them both.

Light surrounded the Hero.

Ardbert's voice echoing in the stark white void.

Another step...

. ...just...

. ...one...

. ...more...

. ...step...

A vision of a vibrant soul in robes flashing before Emet-Selch's eyes as G'raha Tia and Zee stand before him. Fighting for every ilm they can claw at.

It ends this day... one way or another.

Final Judgment; Emet reveals himself as Hades, putting his all on the line as well. Zee would truly prove men are no longer wanting, they are strong enough to fight for their lives. To carry the legacy of the ancients with them. To be recognized as living. Fighting Hades at his full power nearly broke Zee, using her blood lily rage as a last ditch effort knowing it could be the very thing to turn her fully sin eater. Yet it doesn't, her friends show up at her most needed time, Thancred launching the white auracite into Hades as the scions channel their aether to Zee. Against every doubt Zee held, they stood victorious. Ardbert's axe lodged into the ground as Hades asks Zee to remember his people. Channeling the light into every ounce of her fight the shattering of her soul the light had been so successful at was reversed, Ardbert landing the final blow thanks to their bonds. G'raha, very much not in his best shape, sheepishly shows himself begging forgiveness. Swimming back was not what Zee and her companions expected. Zee, having lost the clawed light aether leg, struggled until he had passed out and washed ashore. The people of the First there to welcome the victorious scions 'homes' under the gorgeous night sky.

Home; With the First saved from its precipice of rejoining, Zee returned home for the first time in 7 years. Tataru reacted as if she had seen a ghost when Zee walked through the doors to the Rising, it had been nearly 5 moon since she had left. Even Tataru able to see that Zee had changed in her time away. Zee updated Tataru about the Scions inability to return just yet, and about how they found a long lost companion squirreled away on an entirely different star. Ellaeuxlynn's greeting consisted of her squeezing Zee so tight she could not breath and spinning her around in said hug. She had been hard at work at her forge crafting Zee a prosthetic leg that allowed her to channel and release excess aether. Ell called it her magnum opus. Though the first iteration of it, and still untested. It wasn't long until those in the Rising were shooing Zee off to go sleep. The exhaustion on her face apparent to most everyone. Upon waking Zee and Tataru made their way to F'lhaminn, Zee had to tell them what happened to Minfillia. F'lhaminn thanking Zee for being with her daughter till the very end. Riol frantic to tell Tataru that Krile is there to talk about the patients. Krile telling them of the patient's aether instability, Thancred and Love Bird being the worst off out of the group. Zee's plans of visiting the Steppe forced to be put on hold as she is needed in figuring out how to get their companions back home. Fast.

While they had no new leads, G'raha had a small hunch on where to start. Splitting her attention between helping Ryne, Urianger, and Thancred in the Empty, and working with Beq Lugg, after gaining their trust. Spending a majority of their time in Amh Araeng as they worked together in defeating Eden and its trials, as well as the puzzle of getting everyone back to their bodies. Dealing with Eden felt like a return to a normal..ish way of life. Nurturing the wastes to spring forth life once more was exactly a task to call on Zee for. Her magic had always been plant inclined, her own horns growing flowers naturally. When the water came back to the Empty Zee knew that there would be flowers blooming soon enough. The major success that was the Proxie and it waking up Halric from his tempering gave them all a needed spark of energy. Yet there is hardly time to celebrate when Kai-Shirr frantically runs in with hopes of bringing them back to Eulmore to help with a catastrophe. In Eulmore they find Dulia-Chai in tears, her husband has gone missing, the city down its new mayor with him gone. Luckily Chai-Nuzz was found traveling to other Kholusia towns, asking what Eulmore would need to do to prove their change. A change many people welcome with open arms. Yet just as many stay withdrawn from it. Throwing himself head first into his new role, Chai-Nuzz gains Wrenden as an advisor on the road to an equitable future. It would be hard work for everyone but Zee had faith Eulmore would blossom. Returning to the Crystarium to good news from Y'shtola and Urianger added to Zee's good mood. Y'shtola's comment about wishing for tea and a sweet lead to Zee showing up with some homemade sweets while she was working. A small gift of thanks before Zee returned to the Source. A very unexpected guest showed up right after her own return. Estinien comes with chilling news of Zenos, alive and in his body once more. Zenos destroys all of the Black Rose after he killed his father, an uncaring monster swapped for one who cared only about one person. With nothing else to do but wait, Zee retreats to the Steppe to see her girlfriend after a VERY very long time for her.

The Time Between; Zee did not get to spend more than a week with Sadu. She's called to a war table, updating her on the Empire's movements. No rest for the weary. Being the only person who can go to the First and inform everyone of what's happening on the Source, Zee can't exactly take a break in the precarious nature they are in. Awaiting Zee on the First is wonderful news as the 'soul vessels' for the Scions to return home are nearly done and ready for testing. But when a person claiming to be a 'Warrior of Light' begins slaying stray sin eaters the Scions unwittingly play their part perfectly for Elidibus' plans to flourish. Inhabiting Ardbert's body Elidibus calls for the people to become the Warrior of LIght themselves, something Zee could only think of as a good thing, yet it so clearly was not. Having to split her attention once more Zee must deal with Elidibus as quickly as possible while finding any ways to make the Soul Vessels even better to make sure all possible risks are reduced to their minimums. Elidibus furthering his plans by granting everyone at the Crystarium the Echo as the scions rush to perfect their soul vessels. When Thancred collapses after losing Elidibus' trail, Zee rushes to him only to find Love Bird also recovering from a similar collapse. Their limited time running up soon the Scions focus their efforts in perfecting their soul vessels as quickly as possible. On Zee's return to the Source she learns that her friend's have taken a turn for the worse, Krile spending every waking second she had to care for them. With a gift of Archon bread Zee returns to the First in hopes of defeating Elidibus and taking all her friends home safe and sound. A task Elidibus takes great pains to interrupt. Kidnapping Y'shtola in front of Zee. Forcing Zee to fight monsters with the bodies and faces of her friends of years past. Zee slew them all the same. Mentally battered by the end, Y'shtola barging through the doors felt like a breath of air after nearly drowning to Zee. Left on her own to recover, Zee follows a trail of crystals to her New Old Friend, Hythlodaeus. He bids her to live. To keep her promise and remember them. Leaving Zee the gift of Azem's soul crystal, Hythlodaeus hints at Emet-Selch's making of it before they disappear before her eyes. .Meeting back up with the rest of the Scions in Eulmore they hardly have a moment to catch up before shades of heros from other stars appear and begin attacking. G'raha had luckily been hard at work with the soul vessels, able to imbue his own while the Scions rushed back. With the soul vessels perfected all that stood between Zee and their home was Elidibus. Dashing back to the Crystarium grows ever trickier as more and more heros appear and fight. Right outside the gates the Scions remain to protect Zee from any stragglers, as their Hero marches forward to Elidibus. On her way back Zee came across an injured G'raha and Beq Lugg, the crystal on G'raha spreading quicker than ever. With G'raha's soul vessel stolen, the two rush to the top of the crystal tower to retrieve it. But when G'raha's crystalline growth descends to his legs and he is trapped in one spot, he urges Zee forward. A moment of bittersweet kindness, and a kiss, shared between the two before G'raha's Hero runs off. Ascending to the shattering heavens, and her foe.The gift from her New Old Friend calling the aid of other shards of Azem to Zee’s side. G’raha bursting through right as Zee landed a decisive blow upon Elidibus, calling the crystal tower’s power to him in order to smite the final unsundered Ascian. Collapsing after his spell burst forth, G’raha takes a quiet moment to talk with Zee before he is fully crystal. He begs Zee to take him on an adventure, a thing Zee promises with ease as she clutches his soul vessel to her heart. 

The Scions all disperse to say goodbye to their friends and companions of years. Goodbyes filled with tears and honest words of hope. Their nearly 8 years on the First was coming to an end in the best way they could have hoped. Parting with Ryne at the end was the hardest, a daughter to them all, it felt like ripping one's own skin off to leave her behind. Thancred, of course, promised to make Zee visit as often as she could before the people of the Crystarium gathered. Lyna’s kind words of farewell gave them all the strength to leave and restart their own star’s fight. A long and bitter war on the precipice of ending if the star gets back it’s Hero. Yet there is no time to rest for the Hero and her companions. Ell's gift of a new and improved prosthetic would make her travels easier, and her companions being hale, hearty, and whole eased Zee’s troubled mind, she could not help but feel they were at a beginning and an ending she didn’t even truly know. But before they can focus on the war, they must first get the cure for tempering on the Source.Though it takes a tremendous amount of work, and the death of a magitek computer or two, they are successful and Ga Bu’s mind and soul are restored at last. With the incredible amount of aether it takes to reverse the tempering the Scions seek out the real Master Matoya in hopes she would have ideas to help. The real test would come with gaining the trust of the beast societies after the years of bloodshed between them. It, of course, was no small feat. The leaders of Eorzea had to truly want and strive for this peace for any of their work to go the way they wanted. And with the appearance of strange towers across the star that appear Garlean made, the next leg of the war draws ever nearer. Fandaniel made his first official appearance with the company of a Lunar Primal Bahamut, and stated his intentions clearly for the Scions. He wants everyone to die. Plain and simple. What’s worse, he’s working with Zenos to groom Zee for yet another duel. And with Arenvald’s injury and inability to walk things were only seeming to get worse and worse. 

Yet, things weren’t all bad. Ellaeuxlynn and Feo Ul had been working together on a secret project. A small, doll-like, body for the Fae King to inhabit when they want to follow around their beloved sapling. Queer Leaflet making their debut to Zee on her return to the Rising Stones in a particularly off mood. A gift that brightened her up and worried her at the same time, though Feo Ul in their new doll body made sure to reassure Zee of their safety whilst in said body. With a new addition to her party Zee retreats to the Steppe once again. Ell, Love Bird, and Queer Leaflet accompanied her so they could properly meet her girlfriend. Resting, or as much resting as Zee can ever force herself to get, and readying herself for the moment she was called back to fighting. It never was enough time. With the founding of the Grand Company of Eorzea and the meeting of Fourchenault, Zee’s direction is made clear. Alphinaud and Alisaie’s last name getting unceremoniously ripped from them as their father declares Sharlyan’s stance and departs. With a trip to most of Scion's old home, Old Sharlyan, on the horizon, Zee pays her girlfriend one last visit. Sadu and Cirina’s wedding was a quiet affair, Zee bringing her small group of friends to celebrate her girlfriend and her wife before they depart on their next big adventure.

~~~~~ENDWALKER~~~~~ (~2.5 years) (Will be in a reblogged version of this)

On to NEW DAWNS!!!!! ~~~~~~ (will be an reblogged version of this post~)

~8.5 years total (before Dawntrail) of Zee's adventuring, I can't wait to really get my hands dirty with working on her longfic of Zee's Real FFXIV Story so one day I can share even more about Zee and her party and her relationship with the Scions! While I am still working on making more OCs to fill her party I hope this helps illustrate just how intertwined nearly all my OCs are (Kask'ov, Belle, and Asteroid are in their own universe but besides them everyone else is a player in Zee's story~

(Which will have its own whole lore post when I can get myself to sit down and really write about how I adore Dawntrail and how perfect it was for Zee's next arc~ )

to end it on a little bit of a heartfelt personal note, I have been playing this game since about April of 2018, its been around for me in some of the scariest and worst health I've been in. Zee started out as just an avatar for me in game, and then around Shadowbringers I started getting character ideas for her. Endwalker made those EXPLODE!!! Iris, my Azem oc, is a love letter to my child self and Zee is a love letter to how I would like to be as a person. Not a self insert, but maybe more a role model. Someone who has a lot of similar things as me, I even gave her my same "main" disability, but who is very different. She is shaped by her story the way I am shaped by mine and I wouldn't have it any other way~ I'm not sure how to express how much I appreciate you reading, showing interest in, and supporting my characters and my work. It means the world to me, and truly has been such a help while I struggle my way through the muck of my health problems right now. May you find good rest soon, you deserve it ♥

[cryptidwithacopiccollection]

full panel under cut

[thegreatyin]

firmament chapter 2 day!!!! let's go get this roof bread

[naenaex0xx]

happy holidays naeeee !!!! <3 im so sorry i didnt get to post on your tree (i saw yours on my tree and thank you so much :,)) but thank you for being my mutual :) i know we havent talked much but i genuinely enjoy talking to you whenever we did and im so glad to be able to talk to you !!! i hope i get to see more of your pixel art and your piano skills (which are already so impressive like WHAT) and i hope you get all of the love and happiness u deserve <3

WHAATTTT hehehe omg zee ur so kind to me 🥹🥹 seriously what the hell thank u for the compliments n hdbsjdbjd I'm literally so glad to know you... but I'm sure you can tell by my tree message lol. so ye thank you soooo much this makes me rlly happy,, n im wishing u lots of love n hope n joy too <33

[esteemed-excellency]

⚰️ — What's their most common cause of death?

Eheh

Curiosity! He needs to Know. He needs to See. He needs to Find Out, no matter the cost. Whatever happens, happens. He'll just respawn later.

Also, hubris. He's confident he can get through anything, and he's often right. But when he isn't, oh dear.

Despite his wounds quality, he's not dying all that often anymore. He only gets extremely reckless at zee, he has places to go and business to do, and he always tries to power through whatever comes his way (read as: I'm too lazy to spend actions to go back to London). This doesn't always work. The crewmen follow his plans because they usually work very well, and they're used to his fits of hubris, so they just let him do whatever he wants. His demises are a bit of a running joke between them, they're keeping score of all his deaths and sometimes they run bets on the next ones. He wouldn't endanger the crew on purpuse and they always pick him up at Wolfstack again. To say it in their words:

[neonzparklezzz]

first finished sunder art and its these im sorry fam. Doodled these so I could have a new pfp and match with zee on discord and thats literally it 💔 i'm hopefully gonna lock in and do a cool project with all of them, though!!!

i have done a lot of worldbuilding and story for the most random and obscure fantasy south park au on my writing blog neonzparkoflife if u wanna check it out X3! (here's the post that summarizes it!) I gotta admit that there's a lot more lore and story than what I've posted like it is really that deep. They're more like ocs to me now so when I'm done with south park in like a year I'll probably keep them because this story is fr BOMB!!!

Also my post streak might be over i'm finally out of art to post blehhh 👅

🥛☕️🍵🧃🧋 <— { takea sip before u scroll (says the guy bordering cardiac arrest from caffeine) }

[violant-apologia]

ranking the QLDs of various vanities!

looking at the hunter of zee-beasts QLDs inspired me. there are a bunch of these, so this post is going to be pretty long. sorry!

i could go into the criteria in detail but instead i won't.

A Hunter of Zee-Beasts the one that inspired this list! it's not good. it scales way too fast, and also implies you become "synonymous with death" when the quality can be gained exclusively through pacifistic means. the QLDs in isolation are pretty cool, but they're marred by this inauthenticity. 1/10

Prophet of the Gutter - the quality name is pretty cool but the actual QLDs are dull. even the 10+ one, "an unmatched circulation," isn't that impressive. 2/10

Palaeontologist very generic. only one of them is really "vain" (and that one is rad) but the rest are just "a number," "a large number," "an astonishing number" which is pretty boring. 2/10

Barrister of the Evenlode i came into this project expecting to rank this HIGH. like 9 or 10 high. but then i realised my fond memories were actually of the manifest text quality influences. the actual QLDs are not as cool. they're very... plaque-focused. 3/10

A Worker in the Common Cause similarly to barrister, this has related description (the level change descriptions in this case) which go super hard, but the actual QLDs themselves are egh. 3/10

Defender of Truth - the last one "the only source of truth" is kinda fun, but the rest aren't anthing special. 3/10

Defender of the Public Safety eh. some of these are pretty cool (especially "a shield of the people" and "the armour of the city") but the rest are kinda generic. and i don't remember rescuing any widows in this grind. 3/10

A Poet-Laureate a little better than DotPS but not by that much. the scaling works well at least, but none of the QLDs hit particularly hard. 3/10

Renown: Rubbery Men i like the bit! it's a funny bit. but it isn't a satisfying reward in the same way as the other renowns. 3/10

Renown: Tomb-Colonies kinda lame? it doesn't really tell us anything that interesting about the colonists or your relationship with them. just kinda generic. 4/10

A Synthetic Philosopher i like "you have acquired a rather fruity smell, and some adherents all of your very own." the rest are kinda weak. 4/10

Renown: The Church the 50 is pretty good, but not great for renowns. the rest of the entries are pretty generic. 4/10

Meals Served at Station VIII a little underwhelming, but the last one ("a handful of visitors have come all the way from the Surface to dine at your table") is underwhelming in a cool way. no i won't explain myself. 5/10

A Shaper of Starved Culture pretty neat! scales nicely (maybe a litle slowly) but the "members of the starved delegation effect some quirk of your anatomy or dress" snippet is very cute. 5/10

Renown: The Docks it's okay. "veins running thick with gold and salt" is cool, and the namedrop of the impossible east is fun. apart from that, a bit nothing. 5/10

Cardinal of Conspiracy - the last two are quite cute – "but that means... oh no!" and "how high does this go?" the others are alright. 5/10

Lurer of Cities pretty neat titles. "paragon of geological indecision" is cool, as well as "topographical tinkerer". the highest one ("lacerator of landscapes") falls a little flat for me though. 5/10

Teaching Reputation of Your Laboratory fun but not that varied. the last few, "your former students could fill [an auditorium/their own university/their own corner of London" are very cool, if formulaic. 5/10

Renown: Bohemians solid within the renown formula. the 50 is a banger. "for better or for worse" does imply that maybe the PC just sucks at art though, which is funny. 5/10

Infiltrator of the Tracklayer City most of the descriptions are Fine. the highest one (we've found) goes super hard though ("scourge of the Revolution") and it feels very warranted given how much effort this grind is. 5/10

Dream-Trophies of Parabola pretty neat. mentioning some bonus parabola lore (the red-handed queen and the hanging mountains) does give extra cool points. 5/10

Scintillack Dreaming weird name for this one but still cool. most of the QLDs are kinda boring, but the last one is good: "in the fading scintillack shimmer, the game is the same; only the pieces have changed. you are a Grandmaster, playing a long game towards dissolution." 6/10

Renown: Constables "they say you are the spirit of the Law" goes SO hard (including the capitalisation of law) but the rest are a little dull. 6/10

Renown: Revolutionaries ironically i have the same thoughts here as the constables. the 50 (the Thirteenth Month in the Calendar) gets the edge on the spirit of the law though. 6/10

A Scholar of the Correspondence this is a weird one. the actual QLDs are pretty understated, but the coolness comes from that understatedness i think. listener being above speaker kicks ass too. and "courier's footprint" goes hard of course. 6/10

Renown: Hell all of the renowns are kinda clustering because of their shared formula. hell is good! it's kinda just another one of those. "book of everlasting chimes" is cool though. 6/10

Respected by the Corsairs not technically being a renown quality lets this abandon the formula of renown QLDs. unfortunately they don't really do anything cool with this freedom. "known to all as the Left Hand of Prophecy" is rad, and "recipient of a dedicated dock-cradle" is also quite cute, but the rest are pretty standard. 6/10

Renown: Urchins the lower ones have some fun urchin bits and bobs, but the standout is the 50. "they say you are a stalwart champion of all urchins. they also continue to refer to you as 'Oi!'" it's a classic. 7/10

Oneiropomp people half-recognising you while awake is very cool. and "you have become one of the Powers of Parabola" goes incredibly hard. 7/10

Renown: Criminals this one goes pretty hard! all the renowns have great 50s but even the lower ones on criminal are pretty great. 7/10

Renown: Society a lot of these are really cool actually. "unimportant titles but titles nonetheless" "those envied since birth" "all whose names are appended by numerous letters" all go hard. and the 50 is so cool too. 7/10

A Historian of the Neath solid! scales well. "you sometimes find yourself refuting your own earlier work without noticing" is pretty great. 7/10

Dedicated Brawler there's only three properly vain ones here, but they all kick ass in fun and distinct ways (and scale well). 7/10

An Interloper in the Library given the ludicrous scale of the stacks, 777 books seems like nothing at all. in terms of the effort the player puts in though, "the books shivering at your passage" does feel very appropriate. 7/10.

Volatile Consignments Delivered to the Remote Magazine there are a lot of funny ones in this. "your crew might just forget to send you Christmas cards this year", "your insurance broker has been spotted sporting a new diamond necklace". bangers to the last. 7/10

Renown: The Great Game really cool actually. namedropping the mithridate office and the white-and-golds is really fun, plus mention of the old man in vienna? rad as hell!! the 50 is amazing too, "you are the pawn who reached D8". augh it goes so hard. 8/10

Bone Market Exhaustion kind of a weird one but i think it should count. especially because the little vain bits they add are so cute. "depleted for two to three weeks, but you certainly impressed them," "while every buyer wrestles with the magnificence of that which you wrought," "a breathtaking feat of paleontological construction." 8/10

Fabricator of Past Lives "your alternate identities constitute a significant percentage of the entries in Slowcake's" is so good... AND "no biographical encyclopedia ever written suffices to catalog all the alternate identities you've foisted on the world." 8/10

Familiarity with the Carpenter's Granddaughter REALLY good. i mean, i don't know why this quality needs to exist. but i'm glad it does! "you can recite along with the presentation: every word is familiar as a nursery rhyme learned in childhood" is really cool. 8/10

Painter of Fine Art very cool! scales well, imitators and fakes are cool, the great canvas shortage of 1899 is very funny. i kinda wish there was more ways to get this than painting balmoral over and over again (or the fate way) but that's besides the point. 8/10

A Prolific Pirate see, sinking 200 ships is the sort of thing that WARRANTS your name being seen as a curse. 25 zee-beasts... anyway this one kicks ass. 8/10

Notability a CLASSIC. each level having its own description is nice, and the progression is slow but earnest. maybe i'm ranking it so high because its one of the ones you see so often, but i'm ranking it high nonetheless. 8/10

Record of Successful Forgery briar has none of this because he's a good and honest lad. and the lower numbers are pretty understated but the later ones are really good. "it is possible that you have created more false things than true ones," "genuine evidence is difficult to find in London, and entire encyclopaedia articles are based upon the fruits of your imagination." they go so hard!! 9/10

The Prestige of your Laboratory (capitalisation isn't consistent with teaching reputation. i will destroy fallen london with my fists.) apart from that it's GREAT! fuckin... "your laboratory's reputation is known even in the High Wilderness." that's SICK!!!! the others are good too. 9/10

Prolific Advertiser i had actually never read this one before now (because i never do advertising) but this one is so good. "they say you could sell zee-water to a Drownie" "products clamour for your golden touch" "yours are the hands at the tiller of public conciousness" this is GREAT. 10/10

Neighbourhood Noctivigant augh this one kicks ass. "your very soles are attuned to Treachery. should the lights go out and all laws flee, you will get where you are going". what else needs be said? 10/10

[your-ne1ghbor]

It was 1 am-2 am when I decided: OOOO I should mess with Star's design again... so tell me... Why did it work???

also another long post from the sleep deprived fish lets goo

The cape is ugly af, but the rest of the deign is actually...GOOD??? I am in shock since this rarely happens when I actually like how the colors came out on any character-

UNFORTUNATLY, the cape is what ruins it due to how BLAND it is. Not only that, but it is VERY important to how I design his cape. Like basically:

Yes, that is how important his cape is! I wanna talk about what his cape means in another post where I talk about the Star Realm, but for now, I got this ugly ahh cape.

Not only that, the rims with the colors being gold is actually wrong with how I wanted to make his color pallet. The gold rims (ON HIS CAPE NOT THE REST OF THE OUTFIT) are supposed to be a light blue to signifiy a lake. HOWEVER, I tried to see what it would look like, especially here and in my other post here, where it just does not work with his design. Sure, the light blue is nice, but doesn't fit no matter how hard I try to make it look nice. The gold rims work way too well to where the only light blue where it would work, would only be seen on the back of his cape...WHICH IS UGLYYYYYYYYY

Perhaps I go with either a different cape? Change up the color pallet? Or try to make it work with the lore of the Star Realm? (Yeah I'm being serious, thats how important his cape is and how I represent it. If it doesn't look good or work, then idk... I really wanted to incorprate the star realm onto his cape. I might have to come up with a symbol of the star realm if this doesn't work)

The front however, is actually okay, which is basically the little circle with the ribbon draping over his cape. It is just as important as the rest of the design of his cape, ESPECIALY with those 2 pieces in particular. I dont have a problem with it, since it is what I wanted it to look like in the first place and works well with the design either way.

I don't want to continue empathizing on how important it is to how I represent his cape, but it is overall significant to his design. So I'll talk about the bottom of his design since it is actually where I had trouble with before.

To be specific, it is how I wanted his top to look like. Either I wanted a closed off semi-skirt like what the original or what @signed-sapphire and @chillwildwave did with their star boy's design, or go with a more open skirt like what @oh-shtars and @spectator-zee with theirs. It ofc ended up being more open, just it being shorter. I was unironically inspired by Eugene's outfit lmao but the rest came by easy. I knew I wanted his shoes to be almost up to his knees cause he needs to be FANCYYYYY. I also changed up his sleeves and made it more flowy cause I wanted more fun with his design and works with his character :D

Speaking of character, this somewhat works with his character. SOMEWHAT. He is pretty a optimistic kind of prankster, but I feel like his bright personality is toned down to how dark the outfit came out. I know it is to represent the stars since...you know..he is one, just that (quote from one of my bsfs (TY FOR YOUR INSIGHT BTW)) "the outside is more dark whilst the inside has lighter colors, it makes it look like a glowing star trying to hide, a bit".

I mean, makes sense to why he needs to hide: Maggy wants to make sure he is fucking dead- JOKES ASIDE, it works with context, but he doesn't nessicairly like hiding stuff, like he is pretty open about his feelings for example, but like I said, it also works since he has to hide from the people of Rosas and her parents or else he's seen as the monster (rawr rawr rawr) in their eyes 💀

That aside, you probably notice I changed up his hair. Why? Because I wanted to try something and make it have more depth. It works, so it stays for now.

Is this the final design for him? No. Its not. Until I get the cape right, I still have to get his design working. At least it is working with how I am envisioning it, minus the few little details that make me annoyed for no particular reason other than it needing to work with his character and world.

My next post is going to be an update to the Maggy silly lil backstory cause...it is REALLY important to the story 😭😭

Until then, GOOD DAY/AFTERNOON/NIGHT

[arrowsnsarcasm]

Indie 18+ comic-centric Roy Harper account.

rules: 1) don’t be an asshole 2) multi shipper (see read more below for verses/just consider each ship its own thing) will only ship with 18+ writers/characters 3) au’s and elseworlds welcome 4) ooc and oc blogs are welcome to interact too! Feel free to ping me or send asks for interaction 5) no magic mind altering anons as Lucifer has safeguarded his mind and Zee put extra protections there, sorry!

Storylines I’d love to explore in prose listed HERE.

[please keep in mind that by nature of his characterization this blog will deal with themes such as drug and alcohol addiction and nsfw scenarios that may not always be tagged. ((Mun has very few triggers but if you want something tagged for blacklisting feel free to ask!)) Mun is over 18 and will write nsfw. Filter tw: suggestive and tw: nsfw to avoid.]

[sidebar by thejasontodd; banner by thelaughingmagician, icon by me]

Headcanons that probably matter and verses:

HEADCANONS -> Currently using the alias Arsenal

-> Has his canonical adhd and struggles with it frequently

-> They’ve retconned his age so much it’s confusing, but he’s around Dick’s age, which means only a couple years older than Jason, so it’s not weird. Don’t make it weird.

-> Roy is a pansexual mess who will flirt with anyone of age who breathes, but he’s also fiercely loyal, so if you can look past that you’ve got a goofy friend for life.

-> Lian is alive and well, which means no cyborg arm. She’s about four years old unless otherwise stated in a verse.

-> His thing with Cheshire is over, but he still co-parents with her and acts as civil as he can for their daughter’s sake.

-> He was raised by Brave Bow before Ollie, so he has that Navajo background/heritage and tattoo that signifies he’s part of their family still. (Traditionally body markings are actually taboo to Navajo, but DC made this canon so I’m sticking to it.) He speaks the language and has taught Lian.

-> He is a recovering addict. He will not drink or do drugs with your muse, and if he does that means he needs help. Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) is still his sponsor.

-> I’ve read everything I can find involving Roy, including wfa, so he’s a mix of different DC canons with those backgrounds when needed.

✨ VERSES ✨

-> Lore

-> Bowieverse: verse with @dead-ma-outlaw. They own a cat named Bowie and coparent Lian and are just generally adorably smitten with each other. AND ARE NOW ENGAGED!

-> Hellverse: verse with @john-brendan-knowles. Roy doesn’t know what he’s looking for exactly, but dating the heir to Hell may just be the most exciting thing he’s done in a while. And he has wings now thanks to Raven!

Right now Roy is currently a Talon for the Court of Owls after trading his life for Lian’s, so they’re navigating that. (Contains suggestive content.)

-> Starbird: verse with @gothams-star-seeker and @wally-is-fast @jason-is-alive. He’s on good terms with Jade in this verse too. Roy is also currently a werewolf (Contains suggestive content.)

-> @kn1ves-are-my-passi0n is kind of his arch nemesis, so become friends with Roy at your own peril.

-> Coming Soon (hit up my inbox if interested!)

I tag posts to keep track of them, not to set anyone apart as special, so don’t read too much into it!

[jojo-ker06]

The people have NOT spoken about this one, but still, here is:

✨️WoaS Asha Lore✨️

(The first WoaS post of 2025!)

Costumes and Hairstyle:

Asha is the character in my rewrite with the most outfit changes. The outfits are there to show that I can't stop drawing outfits, it's become a problem her character has changed.

Her outfits in Act 1 (plus her cape):

(Outfit for outside) (Outfit for inside)

Her outfits in Act 2 (plus the cape):

("At All Costs" Dress) (Act 2 Outfit)

(Two sneak peeks to other outfits. The one on the left is for her transformation dress, the other for a scene in the epilouge.)

Just like her dresses, her hair will also reflect her character growth, becoming more open the more the story progresses. Here you can see little sketches I made that show her different hairstyles.

(I drew this one just for fun. I might use it in the epilouge or maybe not. But I thought I could show it to you anyway.)

And for those who were (probably not) wondering, yes, I did take inspiration from these pieces of concept art.

I personally like the orange/red/pink colors here more than the purple dress they ended up giving her, but to each their own.

About the Character:

Asha is creative and loves to draw. But she has not alot of time drawing what she wants to draw, for she is almost always busy designing royal invitations. You see, everytime new people arrive to become citizens (that happens times almost every month), the royals celebrate everyone's arrival with a party at the end of the week. It is for this party that Asha has to design and draw all of the invitations for. But it's not that simple because her parents (espacially her dad) are perfectionists and so they are very picky. Asha usually has to come up with 10 designs before her parents are happy with one.

Asha has three different sketch-books, two of which she hides from her parents:

One for all the drawings she does for her parents,

One where she writes and draws plans and ideas down for when she's queen, (She rarely shows it to her parents)

And the third one is her diary. In that she writes all of her feelings. Shr mostly writes about how left out she feels: She's barely in any of the royal family portraits and she's not included in the statue of her family that stands in the city.

She does try to talk about it and while her parents do listen, they don't seem to take it seriously, saying things like that 'a princess shouldn't seek so much attention from others' or that 'she's too young' and that 'she needs to prove herself worthy first to deserve a part in the statue. Her parents clearly earned it because they fought in war and rebuild the kingdom, but she didn't do anything like that'.

So she tries everything to make her parents proud of her: She wears what they tell her to wear (her entire act 1 wardrobe is chosen by her parents, but not the cape), she draws what they tell her to draw (even if it means that she needs to draw behind her parents, and not next to them), she stops talking when her parents think that she talks to much. She even refuses to eat, just so that her father will finally be happy with her appearance.

But everytime her parents hug her, aknowledge her birthday (there were a few times where they did not celebrate it because of the "welcome-parties" that I mentioned earlier) or when they tell her that they love her, she finds new hope and believes that, one day, all her attempts will finally pay off.

During the run-time of the movie, Asha learns (with the help of her friends) to break free from her toxic parents, to fight for herself and others and that she is more than her parents made her herself think to be. She also discovers something that could potentially change her entire life forever...

-The End- I hope you enjoyed reading this!✨️

Tagging Time: @starss-artss @spectator-zee @rascalentertainments @your-ne1ghbor @dangerousflowerpanda

[zeloinator]

still unnamed hrothboy, the cuddle champion of the Source

he's the traveling companion and close friend to Zee's sibling Tsubaki (they/them), one of her 3 surviving siblings. Tsubaki and this hrothboy have been in Tuliyollal for years, though fate made it so Zee and Tsubaki would not be in the same city for a while at first, once Zee finally has time for rest, and her sibling returns to town, their paths are sure to cross.

Tsubaki ^ (they have a tiny lil nubby tail that I adore so so so much)

[kitzatara]

My full Zatanna Bring Down The House Review!

(spoiler filled, you have been warned!)

First of all I really enjoyed it, it is a very good characterization of Zatanna. We see her heroism and her innate desire to help people, even strangers, and people she doesn’t trust. Helping the magic users, and seeing her desire to do what’s right. She was determined and doesn’t hesitate to help, just like the hero she is.

She had a dry sense of humor, a showman personality and love of performing, her stubborn will and her temper as well. These are all traits that I have seen and consider to be consistent in Zee over the years. So seeing them be core to her in this book was very much appreciated.

I do have a couple narrative nitpicks, 1) she’s never killed anyone, ever. So the decision to have her accidentally kill a kid in the story was a shame to me. I don’t like the breaking of that 60 year record. My only comfort is that it technically isn’t canon. So technically her record is still intact.

2) is the casters doing logomancy. I think that should be something only Zataras can do. It’s such a unique style of spellcasting, and having other magic users be able to do it sort’ve undermines this unique concept. The original reason the Zataras spoke backwards was because they were descendants of Da Vinci. So others should find it extremely difficult to do if they can do it at all.

I’ve mixed opinions about the casters & bunnies in general. They remind me of the Homo Magi, And I couldn’t help but feel that making Zatara part of a secret magic group was just taking from Sindella’s origin. Which has already happened by making Zatara a Homo Magi, I think the casters easily could’ve been swapped for the Homo Magi. But they were interesting, warring factions of magic is always a fun concept.

One problem I have, that isn’t exclusive to this book, was having her not use magic much until the end. It’s very common for magic users to have this trope of powerlessness. Especially at the start of a hero’s journey. So, I recognize the story format but I’m tired of seeing it.

We’ve now have had 6 stories follow a similar route (7 soldiers, come together, Mystik U, Jewel of gravesend, mystery of the meanest teacher) also absolute power, and technically both JLD runs also begin similarly. Seeing Zatanna constantly at square one no longer serves her character, her story, and discards her history. We should move past stories centered on her not using magic and start moving on to stories of her being a fully realized sorceress.

My final big problem with the story is constantine’s inclusion. I’ve made posts on other platforms about how poorly he treats her and will eventually post one here. But in Bring Down The House he is once again made a part of her origin and revealed to be manipulating things behind the scenes, keeping secrets from her, and even lying to her because he knows better and is trying to “keep her safe.” It’s just an example of sexist tropes like him manipulating and infantilizing her. Which I am also sick of seeing.

That all being said the conclusion is the crown jewel of the story. It’s immensely satisfying. We got to see her transfiguring an army of demons easily. A powerful ability in her tool kit that I feel isn’t utilized as much as it used to be. The bunnies as allies was also fun, and having magical bunnies as allies and a part of her show is a fun and whimsical addition to her lore that I’ve wanted to see.

It was dare I say almost worth the typical and repetitive hero’s journey. While the decision to make Zatara the villain of this story was interesting, albeit not one I would have made. His defeat was wonderful and spectacular. It was emotional, impactful and bad ass. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally, it must be said and cannot be understated how beautiful the art was. It was colorful, whimsical, and just perfect for her story. It wove with the narrative seamlessly. I loved the artwork in this book. Truly blew me away.

So even though I have my criticisms and nitpicks, it was still a really fun and beautiful read, with a perfect ending. I wish the series was an ongoing, or led to a solo title for her because reading this showed how fun her story could be. All in all to me it was a 4/5.

Thank you for reading

Eht dne!

[rascalentertainments]

Hey! Finally decided to write out a few questions I had about Wish Granted, so here they are.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who’s your head canon voice for WG!Flazino? You may have already said in another post but I couldn’t remember. (UaS!Flazino’s is Milo Manheim, if you’re curious.)

On that note, how do you think WG!Magnifico and Amat would react to Flazino being prince and the biological son of UaS!Manuel and Amaya?

What other Disney movie do you think you drew the most inspiration from, if any?

Do we get to see an actual wish ceremony in the story? If so, when?

Lastly, any hints towards the ending?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s not a lot, but I’m kinda late to the party so most of the good ones have already been asked. Hope you’re doing well <3

HIIIII! I'm so sorry I'm late to this! Been finally designing the villains, and working, so I had to try and make time for this!

I briefly mentioned it in Chapter 1, but that was so long ago, lol. 😆 WG!Flazino is voiced by Josh Keaton! He's actually been in a few Disney projects, including the voice of Young Hercules! Chose him because he has a voice that fits his range of emotion from stressed out, to snarky, to genuinely trying his best. Plus he has a great singing voice. (Also, LOVE your voice for UaS!Flazino!)

2. On one hand, they'd applaud them for getting their Flazino under control with little to no hesitation or resistance. On the other, they're appalled that UaS!Royals even HAD a kid! WG!Magnifico and Amaya don't plan on having heirs, they want to stay in power longer than humanily possible, so they need all the magic they can get.

WG!Amaya would share a few spells that can UaS!Amaya to spy on UaS!Flazino when he's out of sight, or even spy on any possible traitor in the kingdom. (And they'd exchange tea recipes) Their respective pets would get along as well.

UaS!Magnifico would get along GREAT with WG!Mags. They both want the power of a star, and WG!Mags actually succeeded in getting a taste of that power. I can definitely see them going on and on about how hard it is to keep their Flazino's in line. Only, WG!Magnifico would slightly respect UaS!Flazino more for being a royal and not a peasant like WG!Flazino.

3. Hercules, big time! In fact, Wish Granted is part of an homage to the Disney Renaissance movies, where they just had super creative films one after the other! Hercules is actually one of my all time favorite Disney films, and Star's personality and strength is heavily inspired from it! Hell, a LOT of the humor is similar to Hercules, especially in Magnifico! (Plus I have a superhero story in development where is a combination of Wish, Hercules and Superman.)

4. Yes, actually! 😂 I didn't realize I NEVER showed one in the beginning. Oh my gosh, I'm embarrassed….

So it'll be shown during the set up for the finale! Once the royals gather up the people to make 100 wishes, they take in another newcomer to demonstrate their power. (So 101 actually!), it'll basically show what will become of the Hamlet when their wishes are taken. Magnifico plans to just eat them all and kill them on the spot if Asha doesn't give up Star.

5. I'll give you HINTS!!

Thanks so much, @snackara! I'd love to get more questions from you when you have them! They're so fun! 😁

I'll tag you guys in case you want some more lore here! 😉

@oh-shtars @signed-sapphire @chillwildwave @tumblingdownthefoxden

@your-ne1ghbor @ishadow246 @spectator-zee @kenihewa

@uva124 @annymation

[allmentalyart]

♥️Red!♥️

Weeheee! Next themed headshots! This time with the colour red! Purple is also nearly done, tho next post won't be the purple beans yet (aka I wanna have lots of variety in my feed). Anyways, the red fellas here were super fun to draw, so let's start with a little introduction for them all :3

🔥Blaze, the Firedragon! - OG designer: ilionzae_draws from Instagram

This fiery beast has been all around Draja before he appears in the main story. Mainly he belonged to a certain group of pirates - the first pirates of Draja - lead by a very famous Waterdragon princess. Blaze was all-over known as a blazing terror to the victims of this crew. His atrocities didn't stop when the crew disbanded and eventually lead him to meet Storm - the most sadistic character that will appear in Allmentaly - and marry her! (🦆No, I don't support the actions of my villains. They are evil!)

♦️ Rominion, the Fire Magewing (semi-open fantribe by morvae_draws on Instagram) - OG designer: dawgonartistx from Instagram

This lovely and goofy fella here is quite the friendly and wholesome character! Rominion is always up to help others, despite him being absolutely lost with whatever you can throw at him. To be fair, that makes him even more cute. He is really try this best! He is most notably known for his skills in crocheting! You might be wondering why a fire mage might be working with wool, but that's actually not the case! He uses his fire magic to heat up metal or glass and uses these materials to crochet unique home decore!

👑Queen Pyrope of the Skywings - OG designer: DeathhDreamerArt on TH

Finally I can show you a "face" for my Skywing Queen in my WOF AU! Pyrope was planned for a while now, but I never got time to actually design her. I am super happy I found this lovely design here! It fits her super well, so I had to get it :3 Pyrope is not only the Queen of the Skywings, but also a good friend of Queen Milky Way (Nightwing). She and Pyrope are the same age and both knew each other due to the diplomatic meetings their parents had. It's also Pyrope who later let's Moondust (cough cough the main character cough cough) live in the Skywing kingdom under a fake name after the Nightwing kingdom gets attacked. Later on however, Pyrope actually betrayed Moondust, due to the high risk for her kingdom and therefore is quite literally the reason for the plot of my AU

💣 Zeedrian, the Hellfiredragon - OG 🦆 design

Here he is, my beloved nightmare to draw! 😂 There is a reason I haven't designed his fullbody yet and why I barely draw him! It's quite the work to make all those scales. Tho, despite that, he definitely has one of my favourite designs amongst my Allmentaly cast! Zeedrian is Lumina's best friend in the A.f.K. and joins her in the arena challenge. Zee is a skilled and ruthless fighter, so everyone was sure he would get elected for the arena challenge. Well, Shadow had other plans when he picked Lumina! Lucky Zee still got his chance thanks to his best friend. I have quite a lot of story for him planned! Ironic, because he originally was planned as a side-side-side character, who would have appeared 2 or 3 times in the main story, but now is more like a main character. So lots of lore to come and to draw of this bean :D

✅Likes, shares, saves and comments are highly appreciated ❌I own the copyright to these artworks! Any usage of it without my consent is prohibited! I don't consent to the usage of my art for AI or NFTs! Stealing and tracing is obviously also prohibited!

[brothersinarmsmcsm]

I don’t know if you already mention this but are you planing on doing something like a fanfic or do you have one? I really love your AU and I would be interested in reading how this universe changes with the original

There WILL eventually be a ’fanfic’, most likely posted on a03! It'll mostly be scene rewrites (e.g. rewritten Admin confrontation to include both brothers), but there will be some actual new lore and stuff too since there's a lot more to this AU that Zee and I haven't yet talked about.

Currently, I only have one scene rewritten. It takes a while for me to write since I make room for art and mine-imations as well. Either way, stay tuned!

(- Crest)

A fanfic is definitely planned to be made for this au— it might take a while but it’s going to happen at some point :)

Me personally, I may have to do some character analysis before getting started on anything regarding genuine lore of the AU to avoid any mischaracterization. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to have the fics be ‘boring’ or anything since they’d most likely be rewritten scenes.

(- Zee)

[neathbound-fiends]

Pinned Post (WIP!)

This is very much a WIP, but for the time being, please have the bare bones of some character intros and something to put together for the sillies

A link to my (surface level) spoiler light guide to FL lore!

A link to my summary of the events of the Horticultural Show!

A link to my AO3 (almost exclusively fet)

Extremely brief descriptions of the sillies:

Elliott Marsh (the Ailing Zailor): a transplant from the Surface, who came searching for a man that shouldn't have been found. When he isn't at Zee, he is often found roaming the Fifth City, in search of friends and family and good company. He is currently the guardian of Warren and Arthur

Warren Penbrook (the Blind Urchin): a former urchin who never aligned with any gang, but while she's no longer on the streets, she still very much retains the mindset of "do what it takes the survive". She's rarely seen without Arthur, and is deeply protective over the idea of her independence

Arthur the Cat (the Pessimistic Feline/the Banded Baronet): a rotund orange tabby who considers himself the guardian of Warren, fulfilling a promise to someone from long ago. He is often found menacing the people around him, but in Parabola he's something significantly more grand

Florence Penbrook (the Scarlet-Clad Widow): an employee of Wines, and a notorious scourge upon both society and Society alike. She is a ruthless businesswoman in many avenues that are less than legal, and can often be found in places she doesn't belong. She is Warren's birth mother, but the two have no contact

Dr. Joseph Valentine (the Infernal Surgeon): a time worn devil who spends his days engaged as a surgeon to the elite, and a professor of medicine at Benthic College. He is known both for his brusque and sardonic manner, and his nigh prodigious talent. Rumors abound that he steals souls, but those who voice them are rarely seen again

Bolormaa Otgonbayar (the Scar-Striped Cannoneer): a zailor in charge of the munitions on deck, who is one half of a notorious brawling duo in foreign parts. Rumors exist that he's a spy for the Khanate, but it's difficult to determine whether these are fabrications or a passing of vital intelligence

Rhoda Westing (the Mycological Milliner): a milliner whose works are enjoyed by the upper echelons of Society, known for her use of the Neath's abundant fungal life in her creations. She is fiercely defensive of her reputation, and will protect it by any means necessary