Love Will Destroy Us All

Earlier, while I had been waiting to board the airship from Windurst to Jeuno, a mithra joined me on the dock.
I had a help request in my hands, which she noticed.

Oh, you need help with Red Mage artifact gear?

I was lost in thought. Troubled by what I knew I had to say to Sha-chan when next he came searching for me. Her inquiry startled me.

Hmm?! Oh-- Aye! I do.

I nodded and handed her my help request.
She smiled as she took it and read it.
The mithra seemed to also be a Red Mage. It was clear by her attire that she had accomplished a lot.
She wore a black and red hat with a brim. A champagne colored plume stood at an angle from the hat's band.
Her coat was purple with red shoulder accents and gold trim. It looked quite luxurious.

I can help you with this, if you will be available later. I'm on my way to do Limbus right now. So after that?

Really? Okay! No, I haven't a thing to do. I will occupy myself in Jeuno in the meantime. If anyone else offers aid, I will let you know. Thank you so much!

No problem! Us Mithra mages should stick together!

Right!

When we arrived in Jeuno, I wished her luck doing Limbus... Whatever that was. It didn't sound really pleasant, but she seemed happy about it.
I had some business in Port. The beastmen's seals I had been collecting were taking up valuable space in my gobbie bag.
So I handed them over to a portly man who chuckled when I did so. An odd man, but the orbs he gives in trade for the seals have potential. They enable the holder to take some friends to battle special monsters for neat rewards! Plus the battles can be a challenge and good training tool.

From Port Jeuno I wandered up the steps to Lower Jeuno...
As I came out onto the main walkway, a strange event met my eyes and ears.
A primordial crystal appeared unto us all. It carried a message which it delivered partially in song.
My mithra senses were tingling... Something wasn't right, but I could do nothing but listen.
When the crystal was through, it rained down it's heavenly light over all of Vana d'eal.
My memory isn't quite clear, but one sentiment resonated: Love will be the downfall of us all.
When things were quiet again, and everyone seemingly came-to, they behaved as though nothing had happened.
How could this be? Had I been deprived of so much sleep that I was hallucinating giant crystals?
No, I had not been mistaken, for an adolescent approached me.
He confirmed what we had all witnessed and requested that I recover Seedspall Astrum, Luna and Lux and bring them to him.

I nearly fainted away when he told me his name.

I stood for a while, stunned. Then, simply sat beside the fountain and watched the water leap and dip. Thinking.
Love will destroy us all...

The mithra mage from earlier pulled me from my ponderings with a private word.
She was ready to assist with coffer key hunting and was bringing her husband.
I had been so distracted that I wasn't quite ready! I raced to get a few things for the hunt from my rent-a room... and ran into Shagrath.

Kiamo!

He grabbed for my shoulder as I attempted to scamper by him.

Oh.. I'm kind of busy right now.

Yes, I presume with coffer key hunting? I saw your help request so I came here.

Well.. yes but... You see...

I couldn't even meet his gaze. I fixed my eyes on my toes and criss-crossed my arms tightly under my chest.

What's the matter? I had been trying to contact you but-

Shagrath... Sometimes I don't want to be contacted...

You are mad at me? Kiamo, what is the matter?

He reached for both my shoulders and I had to twist away to avoid his hands.

No. No, I am not mad at you, Shagrath.

I sighed heavily and lifted my eyes. He looked stricken. His face full of hurt and confusion. His eyes caught mine and I couldn't break the hold.

Then-- What..? Please, talk to me.

Again he reached a gentle hand to my shoulder, the other to my arm.
I was frozen by the look of pain in his eyes.
Something must be said. So much had been on my mind lately. So much had happened, not much of it good.

Sha... The last thing I ever would want to do is hurt you...
Did... Did you see and hear that ancient message- It happened not long ago... Right here, above Jeuno.

No, I did not.

Part of the message was... That love will destroy us all...

No, love builds up, not destroys. Who told you that.

Stop-- it's... It's true. Love will destroy us all. Don't you see?
The ones we love the most, are able to bring us the most pain.

And also, the most joy... What brought all this about, Kiamo.

I'm fed up with how everyone has been treating me lately.
I least expect that from you...
I think... I think I ought to go back to how I was doing things before I met you.
In fact, a mithra offered to take me to get a coffer key in the Eldieme Necropolis. I am going to take her up on her aid.
I rely far too much on you.
And... and I don't want you to lose any friends because of me.

No... you're the only friend I want or need.
I adventure for you. You know that Kiamo.

Sha-chan... The childishness of some of the linkshell members has escalated to a point where I won't tolerate it any longer.
Perhaps it would be best if we went our separate ways.

What? Why?

Well for starters the leader turned a blind eye and claimed neutrality... Only to admonish me for actions started by someone who behaves as though the world revolves around them!
One who hunts me down just to harass me. All the while you never said a word. None of you did. You all watched it happen and did nothing. Except Ghrenn, she left.
I know you want to be friendly with all of them. So please, just go and do that. I can find help from strangers. And besides, at least when strangers mistreat me it is all the easier to simply walk away. When your friends do it...

Kiamo... I can take you to get your key...

I'm sure other people require your services at the moment anyway... I know a few people have been looking for you to--

Well then they will have to wait, because my intentions this day are to help you.

Please don't- You don't have to...

I know. I want to.

I'm already getting ready to head out with the mithra and her husband...

Kiamo... why won't you let me come? What have I done to cause you to not want to be around me.

It's not that I don't want you to- It's just- You are well loved and clearly I am not. Do not jeopardize that for me.

And with that he sang. He must have the soul of a great bard, for the manner in which he delivered these words... Words that I did not understand, stirred something deep within me that I can not explain.

Kiamo... Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Diyoyo Nah Prachodyat

What... is that.. song.. Sha-chan?

Does it bring you peace and calm?

Kind... of-- It... did... something to me...

Let's go get your key.

All I could do was nod. I had simply wanted to release him. To free him to do as he pleased.
But it seemed... It pleased him to do coffer key hunts with me. Or anything for that matter.
I only wanted to protect you... To let you fly free...
It seemed as though, no matter the circumstance, I simply could not force myself to be cross with Shagrath-- No matter how hard I tried. I push him away with one hand, but the other pulls him closer...

We met up with the friendly mithra and her husband.
They had already begun to slay some monsters and quickly found the key I needed.
The couple had a previous engagement with their linkshell, and bid us adieu.

Once again, Shagrath and I were left to ourselves.
Had he not come along, I would have been standing there alone.
Is that what I really wanted?
It certainly is less scary to face the unknown (and undead) with someone by your side.









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