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H'biki Schwarzer

Midgardsormr [Aether]

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The warmest place in Coerthas

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I was already at Revenant's Toll, so I went to visit. The usual stop at Dragonhead, and then the usual path north....it's still cold. The view is still beautiful. It's still much too quiet.

After that....the Firmament. Call it a passing mood--the constant drive behind my flitting between places--and one that, as usual, was worth following.

Ishgard and Dravania can talk of peace, but Dravanians are rarely seen at Falcon's Nest, despite being much closer. But here, younglings of both nations can laugh together. Transformed heretics can live next to retired knights. Birthplace and bloodline don't matter. It's a special place.

Sure, I'm still put on a pedestal and lauded against my will, but it's more....open, I suppose. Like "Hero of Ishgard" is just another title doled out regularly--not something whispered in awed tones, or someone prestigious enough to hide from.

No, here there's plenty to do and every hand is one that can help--especially mine. It's amusing, to be honest--someone calling a task "beneath me" and then asking if I'll do it all the same.

But they're always wholehearted, kind requests--some small errand or other, and really just an excuse for someone to meet the ~Famous Hero of Ishgard~. Even if it was something complicated or painful....if borrowing this useless fame of mine can spread such gentle smiles, I'll be grateful for the chance to loan it out.

It's warm here.



Not physically--my fingers have gone numb again writing this--but it's the same warmth Ardbert left me with. The kind that makes me think everything will be okay.

But it's delicate, its beauty shimmering like a mirage.

I'm not referring to the war--it would've ended eventually. But everything it took to make the Firmament what it is, is....how to put it...

Take myself and Estinien as an example--in combat we're "heroes", but in peace we're useless figureheads. We can't comprehend what the same people we fought for need now--weapon and enemy are all we really know.

Skilled diplomats like Aymeric and Alphinaud are also not enough--they can populate a town, but not give it life. It's also not the abundance of Disciples--Ul'dah is larger, built by more specialized artisans.....and the result is a coin left in the sun, shiny and painful.

It's true that the Firmament couldn't have happened without those things--I'll admit that much. But there's an insurmountable difference between the kind place it is and the cold approximation it could have been.

Even before its residents moved in, when the buildings were nothing more than post-war rubble, when it was little more than an idea and an untrained sketch....it was already warm.

And as the Firmament grew, it permeated every ilm, drove every decision, guided every hand. Every rock moved, every brick laid, every flower planted--fueled by the same kind dream. A dream that was almost thrown off Witchdrop, almost torn apart at the Steel Vigil, almost shot on a hunting trip.

Without Francel, the Firmament wouldn't be so warm.

And without Haurchefant, Francel wouldn't be alive.

It's rare. Precious. A sun-kissed stone amongst the snow. Loving strangers selflessly is a painfully easy ability to lose, and yet theirs persisted and spread, even reawakening the same in others. It feels like if I just stay long enough, I

But I can't. Not now.

It's too much, too rich--as I am, I'll be overwhelmed before I'm satisfied. Pushed off another ledge before I've gotten to my feet....and I'm not sure if I'll recover, let alone in time for the danger on the horizon.

So I don't want to leave, but I can't bear to stay.

Someday, though....but not today.
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