#c: zenos yae galvus

[rose-from-ashes]

Today I'm thinking about how Endwalker is about the futility of giving your life a purpose. The unhappiness. More importantly, how there's a gentle light in the lack of one.

Think of the societies that had ended hopeless because they had reached their goals.

The dragons renounced war only to be conquered by the Omicron. Though they fought the Omicron off, their land began to die, and when they realized that they could not find another world without war, they gave up.

The Ea had sought knowledge. They did everything they could, abandoned their bodies, and finally, they found all the knowledge they could need and turned their gaze to the final fact. When the universe would die. Knowing that they could find no purpose. There was nothing else to learn and they had geared themselves for knowledge so heavily that they could find no other things to chase, knowing death would come for them in the end. They gave up.

The Omicrons had sought power. Fighting greater and greater enemies until they could find nothing left to fight that might teach them anything. Eventually, Sir came to believe that the Omicrons no longer served a purpose. Like the Ea, Sir could see no other direction in which the Omicrons could seek purpose, believing that it simply wasn't possible. Sir gave up.

The denizens of Ultima Thule aren't the only ones. Metion lists several in her report.

Deka-penta lived in service to a higher power that destroyed it in a fit of rage. The higher power destroyed itself shortly after, possibly because, like a primal, it had solely lived for the faithful that had made it and lacked any purpose now that they were gone. Another world strived to make a land with no conflict. They became detached from those that should have been their loved ones to prevent personal strife, and their world collapsed.

In the Dead Ends, we see yet more.

One world was struck with plague, and in an attempt to survive, they sought to destroy each other to purge the plague, giving up on a cure. Another world became embroiled in war, seeking freedom and peace using violence, until there were no people left to be freed from. One world sought to remove sorrow, only to find that joy without any other emotions became empty, and they became depressed, giving up on a meaningful life.

In modeen day, we know of Garlemald and Allag. The former fell to civil war, as that was what it had been built for. Its people only knew war, and to follow their radiant leader. When that leader was removed, they had none to war with but themselves, and collapsed inward, its people having already given up hope on any help from the outside world.

The latter, too, had been founded with the flawed purpose of conquest, and at its height ruled most of the world. When their leader passed, the Allagans pushed for greater knowledge, greater creation, greater technology, but stagnated nonetheless, as their culture had been designed to take and there was nothing left to take from. Xande was cloned and began to conquer the last traces of the world, but the Allagan people knew there was no purpose in it and fought back against his rule, ultimately spelling their end.

Finally, there was Amaurot. A culture so dedicated to the concept of purpose that some, like Hermes, could not accept the concept of there not being one. Their ultimate purpose was dedicated to the star itself, and they cared for it deeply, even to their own expense, never sharing deeper feelings, always keeping anything that did not pertain to their purpose to themselves. When the Final Days came, they were overwhelmed by the very emotions they had pushed down, and they knew no mechanisms to push through or seek help. Ultimately, Hydaelyn decided they would never be able to as they were, and sundered them. Whether or not she was right is not the purpose of this.

I'm sorry, did I say finally? i actually had some individuals to dig into as well. Zenos, whose chosen purpose was combat, the battle high. He knew that there was no true overarching purpose or meaning in life, knew that he could choose his own, but failed to see how he could have multiple, how he could have connected to others and seen a better life had he tried, until the very end. The Ascians, whose chosen purpose was to undo the sundering, unable to see the true value in the sundered world due to their focus. Hermes, whose purpose had been seeking purpose, unable to see the truth before his eyes that there not being one wasn't a bad thing.

The point is that every one of these worlds and people had the concept of purpose guiding them. And they were unable to pull away from that purpose in the end. They died unhappy, save for Zenos and Emet-Selch, who in their final moments saw a different light in the Wol and took comfort knowing that there truly was something else out there.

It's a life lesson. There's a lot to live for. Try to keep your eyes open for more. You'll be happier.

[ayakamizu]

[Fic] Past the Far Edge of Creation

Title: Past the Far Edge of Creation

Rating: Teen

Summary: The aftermath of the level 90 quest - a moment between the Warrior of Light and her most persistent foe.

(Spoilers for the level 90 quest "Endwalker" - originally posted on ao3 as well!)

Her body ached in ways she hasn’t felt in a very long time.

She supposes that was to be expected. Zenos was, by far, the strongest mortal foe she has fought. It’s not an unfamiliar feeling either, the aches and pains she felt in the aftermath of fighting him back in Ala Mhigo and Doma resonated through her body for days.

Now that pain felt different. The aches were still there, but there was numbness present as well.

The red of her outfit--a precious gift from Tataru--didn’t hide the blood seeping in many places where his scythe met her flesh.

‘Ah, ’ she thought, panting as she tried to stay standing. Her eyes remained fixed on Zenos’ prone figure, unwilling to look away or let her guard down around him.‘I might be going into shock.’

Would he have let her walk away? After chasing her all the way to the far edge of creation?

(For all his instability, a part of her knows he’s terribly honest about his feelings. She can’t recall a moment where helied to her, no matter how much his philosophies made her skin crawl.)

“Oh…” Zenos groaned, lying prone on the ground. There was blood pooling around him, no doubt from the places where her rapier met his own flesh. “That I should lose again… How disappointing.”

With dizziness overcoming her, Ayaka fell to her knees, rolling onto her back as she stared up at the stars above her. She knew he wasn’t going to get up--that was a concession to their duel--and with the blood spilling from him…

(Spilling fromthem , she realizes, pulling away her blood-stained glove from her abdomen.)

“Never have I understood those around me. Understood their obsessions,” Zenos continued, the rasp in his voice more prominent. “Besieged by their banality, the world was a mire of tedium and trivialities.

“...But in these fleeting moments, there is… a spark. Blinding, brilliant…”

(She thinks of Hermes. And Meteoin. Two kind souls, brilliant and blinding in the ways they wore their hearts on their sleeves for all to see. The answers they sought causing them both so much sorrow.)

“Gone… too soon…” he whispers, echoing in the vastness of this space. The words ringing in both their ears and Ayaka--

(She thinks of all those lives that gave up under the weight of their own grief. Their own apathy. Brilliant lights in the night sky--gone in a second with no one to remember them.)

“What of you, my mirror?” Zenos asked, weakly raising his arm up and reaching out towards her. His bangs covered his eyes, but Ayaka could feel them on her. “Born into this world, bestowed name, bid to seek out strife and adventure…”

‘My parents wanted me to be a tailor like them,’ she thinks, wondering how they would react to seeing her as she is now.‘I was learning how to use a needle while you learned how to use a blade.’

Ayaka can feel her vision clouding, eyes growing unfocused as the blood continues to seep out of her. She can hardly muster the strength to move any part of her body, let alone use her mana.

‘Seeking out adventure…’ Ayaka thinks, remembering the first time she saw the forests of the Black Shroud. The cliffs of La Noscea and the smell of the Eorzean sea salt permeating the air. The vast deserts of Thanalan. The haunting beauty of the Coerthian snowscape--

“Was this life a gift… Or a burden?”

Returning to Kugane, brittled by the Dragonsong War, but calmed by the familiar scent of food stalls and the sea. Standing victorious in Doma and Ala Mhigo, people liberated from the tyranny of their overlords and their own fear--

“Did you find… Fulfillment?”

The Crystal Tower standing proud in another world, so painfully familiar yet foreign, a beacon of hope against the night sky and a pale foreign moon…

Her friends, her comrades, her second family, standing on the deck of the ship bound for Sharlayan--on their quest to save the world they loved from ending.

“Aye,” she answered, voice weak. She heard Zenos take a sharp breath, perhaps caught off guard by the fact that she was answering him. “Suffering may be a part of living, but so are those moments spent with the people that matter.”

She could taste the iron in the back of her mouth, but Ayaka refused to let it deter her from this. “Every hour… minute… second… spent with someone you care about is something to treasure. Living in this world can be a burden, especially in those moments where all seems lost, but by the kami it’s the most precious gift afforded to us… the chance to live, learn, and laugh…”

Once upon a time, when her heart and soul were too weighed down by guilt and heartbreak, she might have had a different answer to him. But now…

“These last few years… Have been the most fulfilling moments of my life… And not because of all the battles and foes I’ve fought… But because of the people I met and the adventures I shared with them.”

She turned her head, meeting Zenos’ wide eyes and smiled. “While I loathe you with every fiber of my being… I can’t help but feel pity for you, Zenos viator Galvus. That life was cruel to you from such a young age… But a part of me hopes you found some fulfillment from this rematch you pined for.”

Closing her eyes, she turned her head away and stared back up towards the sky. She felt weirdly at peace with this inevitable moment.

She’s cheated death one too many times. Whether it be by a tenacious foe or her own reckless abandon towards her life.

“I…” Zenos started, but didn’t continue. Perhaps he had nothing to say after hearing her answer, or didn’t knowhow to respond.

(“Oh… my. Have I said too much? Forgive me, this...sensation is wholly unfamiliar to me.” )

In the silence between them, Ayaka waited for the moment to come. She hoped whatever shinigami came to collect her soul could manage the long journey.

(A clank. Something falling to the ground near her.

A beeping noise--one that was both familiar and unfamiliar to her cloudy mind.

It was slightly off-beat with her own pulse. More consistent than the slow beating of her battered heart.)

‘Maybe,’ she thinks, mind slowly succumbing to the encroaching darkness.‘I will see them all again in another life.’

(“For those we have lost, for those we can save.” )

‘Would you be proud, Minfilia? Venat? The world you loved so dearly… I kept my promise in the end.’

As the oblivion took her, Ayaka felt no regrets. Just peace.

(Beep! Beep! Beep! Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep!)

[reapcrbunny]

THROUGH THE EXPANSIONS: ENDWALKER ft zenos

[blond-jerk-tourney]

Brackets + Participants Masterlist

Have you ever thought who is the JERKIEST and MOST LOVEABLE MEAN BLOND ASSHOLE?? Well then this is the tournament for you!

read this if you're new

complete list under cut. the order of images does not reflect matchups.

Champagne Bracket (alphabetized by media)

Sakyo Furuichi from A3! Act! Addict! Actors! Kristoph Gavin from Ace Attorney Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical) Clotted Cream Cookie from Cookie Run Yoshiki Kishinuma from Corpse Party Jiwoo from Dandelion - Wishes Brought To You - Byakuya Togami from Danganronpa Hiyoko Saionji from Danganronpa Eichi Tenshouin from Ensemble Stars Nazuna Nito from Ensemble Stars Karin Sauer from Fear and Hunger Rufus Shinra from Final Fantasy Zenos yae Galvus from Final Fantasy XIV Sharpay Evans from High School Musical Vace from I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Natsume Minami from Idolish7 Cindy from Kindergarten Felix from Kindergarten Larxene from Kingdom Hearts Kromer from Limbus Company Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat Mikhael / THE MAVERICK from OMORI Ryuji Sakamoto from Persona 5 Bede from Pokémon Sword and Shield Oleana from Pokémon Sword and Shield Babette from Raggedy Ann and Andy A Musical Adventure Haley from Stardew Valley Joshua Kiryu from The World Ends With You Clownpiece from Touhou Project: Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom Vil Shoenheit from Twisted Wonderland Camus from Uta no Prince-sama Ryuji Goda from Yakuza Honey Bracket (alphabetized by media)

Andrew Minyard from All for the Game Mean Generic Golden Retriever from Anon Ask (link) War from Bonus Links AU by @bonus-links Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes Richard Lazarus from Doctor Who MacKenzie Hollister from Dork Diaries Ryusui Nanami from Dr. Stone The Blond "weird sister"/"bride of dracula" from Dracula Arte Ente Conchita from Evillious Chronicles Dave Strider from Homestuck Dirk Strider from Homestuck Trophy from Inanimate Insanity Emma Frost from Marvel Comics (usually X-men titles) Brittnay Matthews from Most Popular Girls in School Ambrosius Goldenloin from Nimona (comic) Danburite “Danny” Skinner the OC of @porcelain-animatronic Rose Thorburn Jr. from Pact (art by @wraith_ly on twitter) Brandish/Carol Dallon from Parahumans (art by @cpericardium Glory Girl/Victoria Dallon from Parahumans (art by @cpericardium) Goddess/Bianca from Parahumans (art by raikiri on reddit) Tattletale/Lisa Wilbourn from Parahumans (art by monkeyjay on reddit) Shaka from Saint Seiya  Thranduil from The Hobbit Achilles from The Illiad (art by ancient greek polychromatic pottery painter c. 300BC) Ianthe Tridentarius from The Locked Tomb (art by @starcanist) Dorian Gray from The Picture of Dorian Gray Adam Parrish from The Raven Cycle Rachel from Tower of God Arlo from Unordinary Mathis Quigley Sr. from Unsounded Benedict from Violet Evergarden Linton Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights

Platinum Bracket (alphabetized by media) Brad Morton from American Dragon: Jake Long Biff Tannen from the Back to the Future Trilogy Patriarchy!Ken from Barbie Howard Hamlin from Better Call Saul Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer  Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai/Karate Kid Daring Charming from Ever After High Ed Rooney from Ferris Bueller's Day Off Zap Brannigan from Futurama Joffrey from Game of Thrones Gideon from Gravity Falls Heather Chandler from Heathers Helga Pataki from Hey Arnold Simon from Infinity Train Dee Reynolds from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Cindy from Jimmy Neutron Ankh from Kamen Rider OOO Villanelle from Killing Eve Regina George from Mean Girls Arthur Pendragon from Merlin Skwisgaar Skwigelf from Metalocalypse Chloé Bourgeois from Miraculous Ladybug Steff McKee from Pretty in Pink Angelica Pickles from Rugrats Gunther and Tinka Hessenheffer from Shake It Up Prince Charming from Shrek Bartleby Montclair from Sonic Underground Illya Kuryakin from The Man From UNCLE (2015) Lyle Lanley from The Simpsons Tom "Iceman" Kazansky from Top Gun Julia from Total Drama / Total Takes Flash Thompson from Ultimate Spider-Man Strawberry Bracket (alphabetized by media) Lilith Bristol from Absolute Duo Rio from Assassination Classroom  Mello from Death Note Beelzebumon from Digimon Tamers Laxus Dreyar from Fairy Tail Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist Char Aznable from Gundam Kei Tsukishima from Haikyuu!! Shaiapouf from Hunter x Hunter Anzu Futaba from Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls Dio Brando from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Isobe from Kamisama Kiss Nozomu Nanashima from Kiss Him Not Me Hanazawa Teruki from Mob Psycho 100  Katsuki Bakugo from My Hero Academia Neito Monoma from My Hero Academia Arcangelo Corelli from Neo Yokio Cavendish from One Piece Donquixote Doflamingo from One Piece Sanji from One Piece Panty Anarchy from Panty and Stocking Nanami Kiryuu from Revolutionary Girl Utena Jadeite from Sailor Moon Zoisite from Sailor Moon Akagi Ritsuko from Shin Seiki Evangelion Sofia from Space Dandy Kuusuke Saiki from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K Ryou Shirogane from Tokyo Mew Mew Sylvio Sawatari from Yugioh Arc V Malik/Marik Ishtar from Yugioh Duel Monsters  Mizael from Yugioh Zexal Yuri Plisetsky from Yuri on Ice The brackets are based on the type of media they are from. It isn't perfect but I think that is okay. I was thinking of posting all the initial matchups, but I've decided I don't want to change them as they are now and I also want them to be surprises.

[do-you-know-this-adhd-character]

ABSOLUTELY NOT ADHD: ZENOS YAE GALVUS from CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MMO FINAL FANTASY 14

there's a lot wrong with him but his focus ain't one of them

laser-targeted, really, given he can ignore the clown fandanieling around him most of the time

extremely capable of sustained long-term planning

...to the detriment of everyone around him. but he sure does do long-term plans!

less impulsive than his great-grandpa tbh, and i would also say grandpa sorcerer of eld is extremely not adhd

if this were "do you know this autistic/depressed/etc character" i'd be in trouble but it's not

textually bored out of his mind but also not really adhd about it (which is rare in characters tbh? if a character is textually bored as fuck they're usually hyperactive/impulsive and zenos is just incredibly depressed)

Do you know this (noncanon) non-ADHD character?

ZENOS MY BELOATHED >:(

[i-lived-bitch-beatdown]

Losers Tributes

It is with great saddness that I finally announce the losers of the Sudden Death round. Thank you to everyone who submitted characters, and hopefully this little tribute to those who are fallen but nor forgotten will help to soften the sting. And I hope you stick around as we - finally - begin to get into the bracket-proper!

quick note that I finished making this video three and a half hours ago but apparently this glorified slideshow was too much and took that long to upload

Full list of characters under the cut.

Juliet Capulet Skoodge Connor (DBH) Batman Shiro The Masked Man Helmut Fullbear Lestat Monster High Franchise Okuyasu Nijimura Robert Downey Jr's career Zane Aria Fiora Godzilla Looks to the Moon Obito Uchiha Tecna C! Wilbur Soot Kenny McCormick Majima Goro Santa Paws Choptail Leonard Church Gypceros Marcus (DBH) Mista Smurfette Will Byers Cobb Avery Frankie Stein Indou HIkaru Jasnah Kholin Jaylen Hotdogfingers Jean Grey Queen Scarlet Shen Qingqiu Gordon Freeman Cure Passion Echo Kite Morgana Sniper Superman Corypheus Foggy Nelson (Comic) Norman Promised Neverland Randall Ascot Sherlock Holmes BBC Starscream Tron Wen Ning Yuji ItadoriBrian Thomas Bruno Bucciarati Jack Manifold Laios Naegi Makoto Sooga Vergil Cassandra de Rolo Fawful The Mayor Afterall Kaladin Stormblessed Lysandre Benjen Stark Cancer Cell Thancred Toji Zero Almond Basim Bruce Banner Gabriel Geth Myotismon Sabo Scam Likely Keiji Shinoji Killian Jones Luke (Tales Of) Maxwell Mona Simpson Ahmad Byakuran Forge Laphicet Leif Zeno Julian Chase Mr. 2. Bon Clay Rivulet Rohan Kishibe Battler Ushiromiya Beelzemon Bender Palamedus Sextus Rakushen Yuri (Tales Of) Antauri En (Dorohedoro) Owen Carvour Skullduggery Pleasant Tenkuuji Takeru Eli Shane Harumi Juro Izumi Mata Nui Mikaela Kyakuya Owen Harper Pina Beastars Rumplestiltskin Akaboshi Bisco Avan Monkey D. Luffy Nedrick Zeno yae Galvus Guy Gardner Kabande Kusaka Sugimoto Astel Leda Daemon Spade Eunie Pell (One Piece) Sara Lance Shaxs Superbi Squalo Kaburagi Obey Me MC Osamu Kashiwagi Pillar Men Serge Vyland Ro'meave Hak Yatonokami Nayuta Rokuro Yamkagshi Sophi Foster and Dex Dizznee Tailgate Tsukasa Okino Kevin Yamagata Rea Van Grants Youko Player Tora Olafsdotter Jugglus Juggler

[tinygamertris]

Jude kir Dravis

WoL/OC tag meme! Tagged by @ecosystem-administrator, thank you!

Tagging in turn: @nights-at-crystarium, @graha-stan-account, any FFXIV fans who see this and want to go for it!

(Choose whichever WoL/OC you want, do it more than once, ignore me entirely. what am I, a cop?)

B A S I C S

Name: Jude kir Dravis (kir for Veteran Medicus)

Nicknames: Hey Jude, Judy, Mongrel (Derogatory)

Age: 24 at the start of ARR so probably somewhere around 27-29 at this point

Nameday: 21st Sun of the Fifth Astral Moon

Race: Half Garlean half-Keeper Miqo'te

Gender: Male leaning nonbinary

Sexuality: Homosexual

Profession: Medic, Scientist and Engineer in a big ol' mess

P H Y S I C A L     A S P E C T S

Hair: Dark Brown, shaggy, formerly short but grew to jaw length during his time in Elpis

Eyes: Amber

Skin: Light dusty brown

Tattoos/scars: A scar on the left side of his face centred around a blade's cut with branching lightning-like patterns leading out from it, courtesy of Zenos yae Galvus in Doma. An Archon tattoo on his right shoulder post-Endwalker, for the studies he did on Akasa/Dynamis and how it manifests in Ultima Thule.

F A M I L Y

Parents: Father, a pureblood Garlean and head of House Dravis before the second Garlean Civil War; Mother (Mama), a Keeper Miqo'te who rose 'above her station' under Emperor Solus as a Medicus; Adopted Mother, his Father's pureblood Garlean wife. His Father and Adopted Mother have an open relationship and both have brought children and partners into the family through adoption.

Siblings: Three half-siblings through his father, one pure Garlean and two half Elezen. Two half-siblings through his adopted mother, both half Hyur. A sibling adopted from an orphanage after showing immense potential with magitek, pure Hyur (Gentian).

Grandparents: Father's parents, both pure Garlean, former heads of House Dravis, both deceased. Mama's parents, somewhere in Ala Mhigo, current status unknown. Adopted mother's parents, both pure Garlean, current heads of House Priscus. (Yes this means Maxima is a distant cousin.)

In-laws and other: No official in-laws but try telling House Fortemps that he's not family, they'll laugh in your face! Ameliance considered him family long before they met, and Fourchenault has been talked around to naming him a ward of House Leveilleur after seeing how much he adores and will protect the twins.

Pets: He had a pet cat called Scraps when he was young, but no pets since. He considers his life in Eorzea too disruptive (and downright dangerous since falling in with the Scions) to be a responsible pet owner.

S K I L L S

Abilities: Has inherited an empathic talent from his Azem, which manifested along with his echo during the aftermath of Carteneau. Two years training at the Magitek Academy in the Imperial City before transferring to Medicus training. Able to use a gun, gunblade and bow with decent proficiency, and a strong talent with the geometry and mathematics of the Arcanist and both its offshoots. Became a Reaper when the Telophoroi made their appearance with the full intention of returning to Garlemald and doing what needs doing to protect his people. Noble upbringing gave him some small diplomatic knowledge, but he prefers to leave that kind of thing to Alphinaud.

Hobbies: Cooking, sewing, reading, pretty much all kinds of crafting. Loves animals and has been known to spend off-days helping with chocobo stables all over Eorzea.

T R A I T S

Most positive trait: He has a deep, deep love for his friends and family, and will go to ridiculous lengths to protect them. If he decides you're one of his, you can expect him to go to the full extent of his abilities and then some for you.

Most negative trait: He has a lot of difficulty with life-long depression and anxiety, a habit of thinking that his problems 'aren't big enough' to try and get help for (he's on the spectrum but Garlemald doesn't have very good mental health anything let alone support), and these have combined into a nasty tendency to hide his negative feelings and bottle them up until he explodes.

L I K E S

Colors: White, black, grey and dark green.

Smells: Herbs from cooking and making medicine, mild soap.

Textures: Soft, fluffy, smooth and warm. Give him a nice soft fuzzy blanket and he's a happy lad.

Drinks: Cool to cold, fruity, sometimes fizzy. He loves lemonade with berries in it especially.

O T H E R    D E T A I L S

Smokes: Not a chance, he knows what that does to people's lungs!

Drinks: Only occasionally, he doesn't enjoy being drunk and tends only to partake at his very lowest or very highest moments.

Drugs: He's tried weed a few times - on Urianger's suggestion, which surprised everyone but the Pixies - and didn't mind it but he doesn't really see the point in seeking it out. And as for anything stronger, well, he's a Medicus. He doesn't want to risk holes in his brain!

Mount Issuance: Precious, their Grand Company chocobo, is still one of his most trusted companions and is pampered at every opportunity. Muffin, his black chocobo, lives a cushy life in Gridania and is often visited by Kan-E-Senna herself; Jude gets sick at the idea of the 'bo that Haurchefant raised getting hurt. He recently was gifted a flying crescent moon mount by the Loporrits and has great fun giving them all rides.

Been Arrested: Only in MSQ incidents, although he's absolutely come close once or twice. Looking at you Asahi you colossal piece of shit!

[blindingspark]

Command the Stars

The Warrior of Light, Auri Brighteye, comes to terms with a twisting of fates design after saving the crown prince Zenos yae Galvus- their dearest friend and enemy. Rating: Mature-ish Pairing: Zenos/WoL C/W for attempted suicide and blood.

"Farewell, my first friend. My enemy…"

The words so quietly spoken, the au ra scarce had time to call out and beg him to stop, to lower the blade from his neck-

Wait! the word caught in their throat, shooting downwards to their legs and propelling them forward even as they knew his hand was faster.

One swift motion was all it had taken as the crown prince slashed his own throat and collapsed into the bed of flowers that he had only just stood upon, Auri's movement staggering at the sight, 

"No..." they hissed through their teeth, "No, no, no!" the cry that soon followed, a sound that could only translate as a heart breaking, clinging desperation as they dropped to their knees beside the garlean, hands shaking as they tore a piece of cloth from their robe and pressed it to the deep cut.

Zenos' gaze- unfocused as it had become in mere moments- shifted to the blurred figure above him; his breathing becoming shallowed, a wet rattle with each inhale and exhale that tore Auri's heart anew each time. Taking one hand away, they dug into the satchel on their waist and procured the weathered stone of healing and began to murmur the words of a basic benefic spell through a panicked, choked voice; a mere bandage in the moment until more thorough medical care could be given.

Even through the settling chill, the sensation of the healing magicks could be felt, prompting the dying prince to grimace and swallow hard. Out of the corner of their vision, Auri could see a gauntleted hand lift, a limp gesture that revealed just how much of the garleans might was sapped by his own attempt to end his life, 

"You're not dying on me, not today…" they hissed, blinking back the welling tears pricking at the corners of their eyes, watching his head fall back with a faint thump, his hand resting upon his chest as the magicks steadily reversed the worst of the damage-

"Auritel?" The voice of Lyse carried from the far edge of the Menagerie, their attention flickering up for just a moment before returning to their work, "Auri, what are you doing? Get away from him-!"

"Fetch the chirugeons!" the caster barked, looking up to see the leader of the Ala Mhigo rebellion stopping in her tracks, a baffled look apparent even from this distance, 

"I- Auri? I... I don't understand…"

Lyse slowly drew closer until she but was a few yalms away, allowing Auri to soften their own voice, though it trembled in spite of themself,

"Please… I promise I'll explain later."

Magenta eyes flickered over to the field commander making his appearance, the battle-hardened grimace comfortably in place on Raubahn's face as he regarded them and the man they were healing,

"There had better be a damn good reason for this, lass," he said, "The people won't take too kindly to hearing the Warrior of Light was seen healing the crown prince by their own volition…"

" I know," Auri replied, an unexpected sharpness becoming apparent in their tone and continuing to mend until Zenos appeared to rest, his breathing more even. Their clawed hand hovered over his partly healed throat before letting it rest in their lap, "I said I would to Lyse…" A moment of thought gave them pause, their attention remaining on Zenos as they spoke again, "However you feel it must be done, I would make a request to have him tended to, out of sight and away from the people."

"But why-"

"I said," they bit, looking over with a defensive glint in their weary eyes, " I would explain, and I intend to... once I know he'll survive. He's weakened right now, by his own doing- and he is no threat to you so long as I'm around."

A steady breeze blew past them, the tension thick in the air as the trio stared at one another across the expanse of flowers and stone that sculpted the Menagerie until Raubahn spoke after a deep sigh,

"I don't know what is going on between you two, but do not expect this kindness to be extended outside of these walls." he said, looking to Lyse- seeing the rage and confusion lurking beneath her blue eyes- before returning his attention to the warrior of light,

"You'd best keep your word, lass, and keep that man on a leash if your word holds true."

-

Hours of talk.

Hours of walking a fine hairs width of a tightrope.

Hours before they could finally check on him.

With a change of bandages and salve in hand, Auri crept into the hidden room that Zenos had been carried to, carefully closing the door and setting the supplies on the nearby writing desk. They could feel a pair of eyes boring into their side.

Looking over their shoulder, the au ra met the gaze of the crown prince, a look on his face that was… difficult to pin down; his gaze was ever steady, though an expectant air was present even as he lounged by the small window, the seating area beside it providing at least a gleaning of homelike comfort,

"The Alliance is still holding a private meeting," Auri began simply, turning to face and meet his gaze in full, "I gave my reasons and the advantages of having you as an ally, even if it's merely in relation to my presence."

"Deliberating over my fate," he murmured, the best his hoarse voice could manage through the dressings, watching his face wince faintly as he swallowed, "Am I to be your ward, then?"

Even with the self-inflicted wound his tone carried a dry lilt, tilting his head to look at the au ra as they approached, "Or perhaps your loyal dog?" 

"I…" they huffed, now standing before the garlean and meeting him eye-to-eye- a small blessing thanks to his relaxed state, "I could not say, not yet."

Silence resumed with Auri shifting from foot to foot before the question could no longer be prolonged,

"Why did you do it?" they inquired carefully, "Attempt to take your life, I mean?"

"Why did you spare it?" Zenos retorted, his languid stare remaining as he glanced down at Auri's tail curling around their leg, then back up,

"We talked about this- you said you would leave with me if I won our 'contest'..." they mumbled, "You promised-"

"I told you I would consider it," he shifted his weight and spoke again, "We both know full well the ledger I have with the XIIth, the red staining my hands is not something so easily cleansed. Deeds are harder to wipe away when the aftermath is felt years after."

Auri frowned even as the sound logic settled, "...And so you decided to take a blade to your neck."

"It was to be my own or the Alliance's… or the Ala Mhigans," he paused, humming softly in thought, "Perhaps the Domans; I'm certain all would gladly take up the executioners mantle at the mention of my name."

"Zenos." The au ra sighed, hands now wringing as they stepped closer to him, "I… understand all of that, and I admit I let my emotions take hold in the Menagerie, I simply couldn't bear the thought of... of-"

They paused as Zenos lightly grasped their wringing hands with one of his, tugging them closer and letting his other hand snake around their middle,

"Saying farewell in return?"

Auri nodded, looking down at their hands and adjusting to more easily hold his, "...Yes."

A soft grunt was his response, head tilting faintly as he regarded the au ra and applying pressure to the small of their back until they stood between his parted knees, the closest they could be without Auri simply crawling into his lap to hold him, though being mere ilms apart was sufficient as he spoke again, strained voice quieting to a low murmur,

"I took a blade to my throat because I knew you would not," he watched them sigh and mirror his head tilt with a forlorn look upon their face, "As ferocious as I have seen you become, you would have hesitated had I given you the chance, no?"

"Certainly…" they uttered, a weak smile tugging on their lips, "And not for a lack of might, either."

"Mmh, even after all you have endured, all you have seen, I could think of none more deserving of such an opportunity to finally end my 'reign of terror'... and yet," he punctuated with sliding the hand upon their back upland, up to their head and brushing some of the hair from their face, watching as they leaned into his touch, "Your heart could not bear such a burden, even as others would celebrate your deeds."

"Because it would be at the cost of the one I treasure, who has pulled apart the armor I bear and shown me what I am truly capable of… all for the sake of others who rarely seem to view me as more than a driving force," they huffed, adjusting to hold his other hand between theirs, "I can only do so much, but whatever happens in the coming days… my wish is for you to understand. Understand in full why I have done all that I can."

Zenos' mouth pressed to a firm line, realizing he had discovered his friends stubborn streak in full at long last. He watched the au ra close their eyes and savor the lack of distance,

"I have fresh bandages with me, if… you will permit me to change them." They soon noted, opening their eyes and feeling his grasp ease to sit back, relaxing against the pillowed seating to watch them retrieve the dressings from the opposite end of the room.

A strangely comfortable quiet settled between them as Auri prepared the supplies, the gentle clatter of glass vials on the small nearby table in the room and the distant howl of the Lochs's fauna outside serving as the only break before they began; the au ra gingerly lifted Zenos' chin- keeping the motion slight as to not aggravate or reopen the cut- and unwrapped the gauze from around his neck, mindful of the process as the dark red stains grew wider before finally pulling the dirtied bandaging away. As the wound was exposed they felt their jaw clench, regardless of the healing done prior thanks to their magicks, and let out a soft huff. Dismissing the wandering thoughts in favor of picking a fresh cotton swab and applying alcohol to it to gently dab at the dried blood and old salve.

Their attention shifted upwards to look for any sign of discomfort, slowing as they were met with the garlean's steady hooded gaze upon them. It was not the bored, languid look as he had so often given the world around him, instead focusing on the au ra in a way that stilled them without touch, tearing away the world around them until all they were all that remained and pulling them further to the depths of blue like the most treacherous of seas simultaneously.

Such intensity would have frightened them in their younger years, yet even after their time traversing Othard and Gyr Abania, Auri could scarce place what exactly was running through his mind no matter how long they peered into the depths; in spite of his grandiose gestures and blasé displays of might, the crown prince had proven himself a quiet and solitary individual when away from the prying eyes of his peers and the battlefield. 

They set the dirtied swab aside along with their thoughts, moving to unwind the roll of fresh gauze and begin the equally careful dressing of the wound, searching his features after the first pass,

"Any discomfort?"

A noncommittal grunt was followed by a low sigh while he straightened himself slightly, reaching to gather some of his flaxen hair in hand and holding it aside, allowing the au ra to finish more efficiently,

"I could have done that, you know," Auri teased softly, noting the smirk that tugged on Zenos' lips,

"You did not ask."

"I think," they murmured, finishing the bandaging and setting their supplies aside to rest one hand upon his cheek, "You were merely distracted for once…"

Letting go of his hair, the garlean leaned into their hand as he settled into the quiet with them once more, the au ra reached up with their remaining hand to stroke his other cheek with their thumb and feeling him ease at the gentle motions, savoring the moment of peace they had achieved even if it had followed on the heels of a near-tragedy -

The sound of a knock on the door made the caster stiffen, looking to the entry and stepping away from him before the door handle clicked heavily and swung open with a groan. 

A Twin Adder lieutenant stood in the doorway, with two Ala Mhigan guards posted on either side of the entry and stood at attention upon seeing Auri to salute them,

"If you'll follow me, champion of Eorzea."

A moment of hesitancy kept Auritel in place, watching the Adder shift from boot to boot before inclining her head, 

"We will escort the crown prince, the Alliance has reached their decision."

[mappingway]

After realizing last night that I dont really. Have. Anything. I want to live for. I'm beginning to empathize much more for zenos and it's kind of baffling.

Did I dislike or find him boring because I was ignoring our similarities?

[rivensbane]

ZENOS YAE GALVUS IN THE FINAL FANTASY XIV: ENDWALKER TRAILER

[nascentflash]

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃.

[rose-from-ashes]

[mabwee]

undefined

[ladyramora]

HC that Zenos was waiting all along for the preternaturally strong WoL that could pick his huge, beefy self up like he weighed nothing at all

[thescixns]

tag dump (other characters m-z)

[grinnauxdedzemael]

Honestly I’ve been wondering about this for a while now :U so much I felt compelled to pick up a pen and find out what’s under the armor. Started from the bits of arm and leg with little to no armor, and came to the conclusion that Zenos is shredded. I heard he has an 8-pack. That’s another mystery solved ouo7