#((finally got around to writing this aslkfehalsdhfe))

[witchofthescions]

There was only so much that Lalah could teach Lenar of the sage's art, and she was well aware of this fact. Loifa, however, seemed to have a knack for it that went beyond Guildivain's twisted tinkering, and so she suggested that he take over instructing Lenar. Thus, the two set out into the Dravanian wilderness to help a couple of Midnight Dew's wayward hunters who had bitten off more than they could chew. Because what better way to learn than by doing?

As the newly revived hunter headed back to civilization, thanking them profusely for the second chance Loifa had granted him, the Viera fell quiet.

"You know," he said, "I used to dream about the future I knew I'd never see."

"Hm?" Lenar turned towards him.

"About overcoming my illness and protecting the forest as a Wood-warder, as is the duty of Viera men. I wanted to repay my people for not giving up on me. My tribe and my master." He paused ever so briefly, hands balling into fists. "I allowed myself to hope when I went with Guildivain... until the dream died once and for all in his laboratory. Alongside those who were sacrificed in the pursuit of his twisted ambition. For the 'betterment of mankind,' that depraved fiend took everything from me."

Lenar remained silent, but he regarded Loifa with a sympathetic look.

"Since then, I have been bent upon revenge. Save that, there was no purpose for my sage's power." Loifa finally lifted his head and looked right at Lenar. "But since meeting you and Lalah, I feel as though I'm beginning to understand why this soul crystal was given to me. The hope that all might live to know a better tomorrow. There is a warmth and comfort in that... and a purpose."

"He sounds just like you, Lenar!" Lily chirped next to his ear.

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Loifa asked, shooting the fairy a curious look.

Lenar let out a breath, smiling a little despite himself as he collected his thoughts. "I have mentioned before that I am from the neighboring land of Ishgard, yes? How much do you know of its history?"

"Precious little," Loifa admitted. "I had no interest in the outside world when I was a Wood-warder, and no opportunity to learn once I was in Guildivain's custody."

"In brief, then: for a thousand years, Ishgard and the dragons of Dravania were at war. The particulars can wait for another time, but suffice to say that the war was still ongoing when I was born." Lenar paused, pressing a hand to his chest before continuing. "I... have never had a stomach for war, or violence in general. Despite being the son of a rather accomplished knight, I had no interest in joining the fight. Not out of cowardice exactly, but out of... for lack of a better word, grief."

"Grief?" Loifa repeated.

"Grief. Grief for the lives of all those I had lost, for those whom I'd never known and would never have the chance to. Grief for all the generations that had lived and died without ever knowing peace." He sighed, voice growing quiet. "Grief for myself and the awful fate I had been born into."

"...You, too, believed yourself not long for this world, didn't you?" Loifa said, his own voice quiet.

"I did." Lily sat on his shoulder and gently patted his cheek as a gesture of support. "I do not mean to make light of your own situation, of course. Dying a slow death due to illness is nowhere near the same as dying in combat."

"But the looming specter of your own mortality would have looked the same."

Lenar chuckled dryly. "'Tis one way of putting it." He distractedly twirled his cane between his fingers. "But, of course, in a war there is precious little room for one who does not wish to join the fight. And I was far too frightened of dying to contemplate any other course of action. So, one day, I took up a tome of magic my father had procured and fled my homeland. I claimed at the time that it was to find a way to stop the war. It was not entirely a lie."

"But it wasn't entirely the truth, either."

Lenar's silence was all the affirmation he needed. After a moment, he continued. "I wandered Eorzea, getting into various adventures that allowed me to cross paths with two people who have become my dearest friends. And it was while traveling with them that I came across Lily's stone."

"What stone?"

Lenar produced the Scholar's soul stone, holding it out for Loifa to inspect. Lily rose from Lenar's shoulder and did a little spin, before pointing excitedly at it.

"My stone! My stone!"

"Specifically, it is a soul stone containing the memories and skills of countless Nymian scholars. I chanced across it on a mission—well, technically the stone was part of said mission's goals. I was accompanying a marauder who was looking into the ancient art himself, specifically Nym's warfare tactics." Lenar's fist closed around the stone in his hand, and he brought it to his chest. "The moment I first held the stone, when I heard the whispers of ancient healing techniques... It was as if everything suddenly fell into place."

Loifa's eyes widened. Lily beamed at Loifa.

"I doubt I will ever truly feel comfortable with violence. But in the healing arts I found comfort... and purpose. With this power, I can change people's lives, hopefully for the better. I can protect those dear to me, and ensure that others live to see another day." "To protect those dear to me..." Loifa repeated, softly. He held up his own sage crystal, examining the well-worn surface. "Come what may, I vow to protect those dear to me. For that purpose, and no other, will I use my power." His hand closed around the stone. "This I swear upon the crystal."

He lifted his head and looked to Lenar, determination writ across his face. "That being said, soon we must confront Guildivain. If we're to triumph, we must trust each other with our lives. Are you prepared to trust yours to me?"

Lenar smiled back. "Of course. Are you willing to do the same?"

"I am. So see to it you keep up."

Lenar laughed. "I shall do the best a fool can."

Loifa's ears drooped a bit in embarrassment. "You're still sore about that? I didn't realize you were so sensitive..."

"I kid, I kid," Lenar quickly reassured him. "You are not the first to call me out for foolishly taking things at face value when I should not have."

"Still, I'm sorry all the same." Loifa huffed. "I believe that's enough training for one day, anyway. Let's head back to Idyllshire. Hopefully Lalah's allies have made progress."

"One can only hope."