The sun over Thanalan burned - but when didn’t it? After the Calamity, it had seemingly grown harsher and harsher. However, the Hyur currently gathering in the sands close to Little Ala Mhigo was one of the few who could compare it closer. After all, it was as if she’d snapped from the falling lesser moon to the current day. (Technically, around a month ago. She was counting.)

Lightning shards and crystals… a lot needed to be gathered to be worth much Gil. But it was honest work, and if she did enough? She could hire a porter and the money to rent an inn room for around a week. Eight days in Ul’Dah should be enough to figure out what she needed to. Even as her knuckles grew bloody from her tight grip, even as the magenta crystals dripped with sweat - it would be worth it.

Time didn’t matter, either. She had begun as the sun rose, and the sun was beginning to set. Perhaps it was that Ala Mhigan mindset. It was the best she could do - and what made her almost happy. Soon, she would be able to go back to…

…well. Her people, if they still were there. The Path of the Twelve. The Hyur gave a little shudder, as she felt the sun beginning to set. While the sun burned during the day, it tended to grow chillingly cold during the night. But not how it used to.

—no, that shudder was different. The Echo - the Hyur could feel something coming. Swiftly rolling to the side, she barely missed the half-rusted blade held by what looked like another Ala Mhigan. A Highlander, but their body was mostly hidden - perhaps they were Au Ra, for they had a large tail swishing behind them? The blade had gotten stuck in the rock she was mining, but it seemed to distract the attacker - levin energy crackling, and the attacker trying to… do something with the rock, hands tightening around it. Blade still stuck, but the Highlander desperate.

Eventually, the silence was broken by the miner. “Excuse me?”

The other looked at her - eyes visible under the heavy clothes. A deep green, terrifyingly so. “—crystals,” is all she muttered, before turning back to the rock. Trying to dig out the crystals, perhaps. Tail swishing as her heavy claws dug into the rock— were they gloves, or…?

Before she could ponder more, the other lady retrieved her blade - the rocks crumbling around it. “There’s plenty here,” the Midlander said, gently. “You don’t need to get violent.”

The other - the tailed one - looked her in the eyes. And then asked… “Your name?”

“It’s Minfilia. Minfilia Warde,” Minfilia said with a gentle gaze. This terrified other lady - there was no reason to get on her bad side. If she could talk the other down… then they wouldn’t need to fight. “Do you wish for more crystals?”

The other nodded, and watched as Minfilia got some out. She took them greedily, before beginning to back away. “There’s… more here?” she asked, the best she could. Minfilia nodded, and the other was gone.

…That was frightening, Minfilia thought. But it worked out fine, right? Even giving those away, she could still spend time in Ul’dah. Still, she was shaken - she would retreat to where she’d been staying.

No, she hadn’t been staying in the settlement. Even if she had been accepted there, she wanted somewhere of her own. A small cavern she’d found nearby, one she’d thrown some fabric over the entrance to. Even if she trusted other Ala Mhigans, she didn’t trust the Flames as much - or the adventurers who came though. She needed these crystals herself, so she could get home.

If they went missing, she would need to begin again… again. By the time the sun had set, she had sealed up her cave with a few rocks. The muscles of a miner ached, but it helped. It was small, but cozy - and that’s all that Minfilia needed. The remains of a caved in mineshaft, the bed half-crushed by rocks, was where she rested - next to a safe that she had cracked and locked again. Still, it was comfortable. As Minfilia slipped into sleep, she wondered about the one who attacked her…

…she wondered if they’d meet again. But, recently, a lot of people had wished for crystals. Things had become more violent - not just with the Amalj’aa, but with the Ala Mhigan youths. She had fought by their side - in battles which felt like illusions, ones which almost seemed to happen again and again. Even if Minfilia was not much of a fighter - she still had the dagger Thancred gave her, but… well, she couldn’t help but think on this as she slipped into the realm of dreams.

Morning, as compared to dusk, was a quiet time. Of course, the beasts did not seem to care what time it was - but at least people seemed to rest. There was no rest for Minfilia, however. She had to get some food, and then get back to work.

(Food, in this case, being gathered. Or bartered for with the Immortal Flames who had set up nearby - if she required something that wasn’t foraged.)

But this morning, Minfilia noted two things. One was that there were an odd number of Amalj’aa around. The second was that there was also an odd number of Flames. A conflict, of course. She should intervene. But her place— she couldn’t stop them once they began fighting. That would be foolish. And yet - she slipped on her light clothes, and moved to listen.

—wait. She could understand the snarls of the Amalj’aa. She couldn’t before - before she awoke in this future. They snarled at the Flames, protesting. They had to get past. They had to find Him - who was him? Minfilia couldn’t figure it out.

And it wasn’t like she’d run into the battlefield to ask - especially as the larger Spoken fell to the Immortal Flames, their blood staining the sand. Soon, they fell. And that’s when Minfilia rushed out.

“What was going on?” Minfilia asked who seemed to be the commander of these Flames. An older woman, with a haunted gaze on her dark face. Ala Mhigan, if Minfilia was to guess. A mask covering most of her face - but the ways her lips moved showed she had been hurt one way or another.

The other looked over Minfilia, and gave a soft gaze. “Recently, they’ve been getting closer and closer to Little Ala Mhigo. I’ve tried to be reasonable, but—”

“I mean, why are they getting closer?”

A pause. “Well, there’s been crystal shipments lately. Lots of them. So… while it sounds weird… there’s rumours that they might be trying to summon a Primal. We’ve got our contacts looking into it, but until then, we need to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

These contacts— “May they be related to Louisoix?” Minfilia asked, expression growing a little excited. The Immortal Flame gave a little smile, and a nod.

“Oh, Louisoix… his finest students have remained here, after… well, you know.”

“Actually, I don’t.”

The Immortal Flame paused, tapping her finger against her lips. Thinking. “Did you live under a rock for the last five years or so? Because I don’t think anybody wouldn’t know what happened.” Even as she spoke, however, the Immortal Flame commander offered out a hand. “Wanna sit down and talk about this? I mean, not in Amalj’aa corpses?”

Minfilia nodded a little, as they moved to the outside of Little Ala Mhigo - sitting on the cliffside. “Well… it’s a little complex. But, no - I don’t know what happened. I… have amnesia,” she admitted. That was the easier explanation, right? “The last thing I recall is Dalamud falling.”

The elder woman gives a soft sigh, before leaning slightly on Minfilia - she felt firm, muscled, under her clothes. Strong, powerful… just like an Ala Mhigan should be. But she was not as tall as a Highlander. They were close to the same height, actually. “Well, um. Louisoix… sacrificed himself to stop Dalamud.”

Silence. Minfilia stared wide-eyed. “He’s dead…?” After another moment, she felt one tear. Another tear. It felt right - he would have given everything for the world. But he was not just her friend, but her mentor. Without thinking, the Immortal Flame gave a soft hug to the other. A familiar hug. But Minfilia couldn’t place it though the numbing grief that began to build. “He’s dead…”

“Mhm… but nobody’s going to forget him. Without him, the big dragon inside the lesser moon would have destroyed Eorzea. Still… I’m sorry, miss. He was really important to you, huh?”

Minfilia nodded, quietly. “He was… without him, I would not have chosen my path. I knew him well…”

The hug was nice, but Minfilia then quietly looked up. The other - the Immortal Flame - was biting her lip. Thinking, but then rubbing Minfilias’ back. Trying to be comforting. Before… “Wanna come back to my place to clean up?”

That’s right, Minfilia thought though her pain, the Immortal Flames tended to have Chocobo-drawn wagons. It was really just for their own comfort, and because it had become quite hard for them to rest with Ala Mhigans. A sniffle, and a nod.

—Minfilia did not expect to be lifted up by the Immortal Flame commander, carried in a hug-like hold. She could not protest, for she was far too shocked. It was not far, thankfully, before they passed an oddly massive Chocobo resting near a larger then normal wagon. Minfilia gave a soft confused sound, and the Immortal Flame explained.

“I’ve basically set up camp here - this good boy’s going to be sent back soon. My mission’ll likely keep me here for a few months - so I’ve got the supplies. Ala Mhigans listen to their own, after all.”

Entering the small wagon, it was clearly set up for comfort. A single table and couch (which clearly was also used as a bed), alongside a fully stocked cupboard. It could fit a few people… and, well, there was room for a light party to sit around the table, at least. A divider seperated the kitchen area - stocked with wood and a box filled with ice crystal shards. There was also a wall - likely to the bathroom, Minfilia thought.

The Immortal Flame commander placed Minfilia on one of the seats, before pausing. “Wait a sec, you deserve to lay down. I know it’s still early in the day, but you’ve had a big shock.”

“You’re mothering me,” Minfilia pointed out.

“I’m older then you. Probably. Maybe. How old are you?”

That actually made Minfilia pause. Had she aged in the time she’d seemed to miss? She didn’t feel older. Thus… “I am twenty-three years old, the last I checked.”

The Immortal Flame chuckled. “I’m fourty-five. So I’m an old lady compared to you - so I’m allowed to mother you.” As she spoke, she got out a heavy quilt, covered in Ala Mhigan symbols. “Here, this should keep you warm. Have you eaten yet?” Minfilia shook her head. “I’ll get some stew going, once I hunt down some—”

“—let me hunt with you,” Minfilia said. “I can fight. And… it might help me focus my thoughts.”

A pause. “I’m trying to be nice to you - but sure! We’re gonna hunt down a Angler or two - there’s a soup my boyfriend taught me how to make from them. I’ve got everything else nice and preserved.”

Minfilia stood - folding up the quilt - before beginning to follow the Immortal Flame commander. (She should ask for her name, but Minfilia was a bit distracted.) “You have a boyfriend? Is he in your squadron, or…?”

“Oh, no. We met elsewhere, he showed me how good people could be, and then we kiss a lot. Well, I kiss him and he gets all grumpy and it’s really cute,” the Immortal Flame said, as she looked backwards a little. “Maybe he’ll drop by sometime? Oh, and my little sister as well! I think you two’d get along - she’s just a bit older then you.”

How passionate… Minfilia frowned to herself. That explained why this lady was so fussy… she was a big sister. “Am I like your sister at all?”

A pause. “Well. You’re… Ala Mhigan, right?”

“It’s that easy to tell?”

“Well… yeah. You didn’t just wanna sit back, and you’ve got that look in your eyes. But I haven’t seen you around here before,” the Immortal Flame admitted. “Did you just escape from Garlean occupation, or…?”

“No, no.”

Minfilia gave a shake of her head, as they approached the Red Labyrinth. “It’s a long s-story - and quite unbelievable. But it’s related to my amnesia.”

The Immortal Flame gave a little nod to the other - before raising a hand. “Right. I’ll take the Angler on the left, you take the one on the right, and we’ll make some stew and talk over it. I might not look it, but I believe a lot of stuff.”

Of course, Minfilia followed the commands. Now, while she was not the strongest, she knew her way around a dagger. The same one that Thancred had given her, well. She knew how to defend herself. Even as the fish-like creature bit at her, and she slashed. It did not take long for it to fall. Mostly because she went for the eyes and mouth. Turning, she got to see the last of the Immortal Flame taking out her Angler - a firm punch, before drawing back to a neutral pose. “Two for two, huh?”

They began to walk back, meat juices dropping a little. “You ever prepared Angler before?” the Immortal Flame asked.

Minfilia shook her head. “I tend not to hunt - it’s usually others who supplied meat, before I took to this lifestyle. So, I’ve been eating plants and eggs and anything else I could forage for.”

“Oh? Well, that makes a bit of sense— wait, why did you take to this lifestyle? Or is that related to everything else?” A nod was all the Immortal Flame needed for confirmation, and she gave a little chuckle. “Well, meat helps you grow strong, and you need some strength to recover from… well, the news. I’ll cook it like my mother used to. Meanwhile… you should wash up. You can fill the tub with water shards.”

They returned to the wagon, and Minfilia moved into the bathroom. She was messy, that was true. She hadn’t washed since she awoke - the abandoned mineshaft she’d moved into had no way to wash up. Not even a river. There was quite a supply of water shards - whoever this Flame was, she must have a lot of authority.

Stripping off, Minfilia placed her clothes daintily on top of the nearby strongbox. Her body had lots of tiny nicks, of course, but none which would stand out or sting too much in the water. She activated the crystals - the magic draining from them, and water began to fill the tub. Strange… it didn’t quite look like Eorzean engineering. But that didn’t matter. Like with many tubs, the temparature could be adjusted by a mix of ice and fire crystals… and Minfilia made it a refreshing cool tub. There was even soap - Minfilia hoped that the Immortal Flame wouldn’t mind too much. But she offered this.

As she cleaned herself, Minfilia felt tears begin to fall. She felt her body begin to finally take everything in, and she felt her eyes sting with pain. Her hands seemed to split open, and she could no longer hold in her screams. Screams that echoed, and screams that seemed to make the world go white.

Wait, no. Minfilia recognized this feeling - the Echo. A vision, one she couldn’t control. The very thing she’d begun to study. Wasn’t it…?

Minfilia woke from the vision, and she was no longer in the bath. She had a towel wrapped around her, alongside the Ala Mhigan quilt. The Immortal Flame was still cooking, making sure nothing burned too much. It was a long meal to cook, but… as soon as Minfilia made a soft sound, the Immortal Flame turned around.

“Oh, thank Rhalgr—! I heard you screaming and then you weren’t moving and you were sort of. Submerged. So I had to get you out and I didn’t look at you too much I promise.”

Minfilia could barely hear the others’ rambling, as she thought backwards. Had she seen anything? If so, what had she seen, or heard, or even felt? She had smelled smoke. Heavy smog, not unlike the scent of a magitek engine. But she had not seen anything, nor heard anything. The ground had become firm, tough, metal.

…Maybe it wasn’t an Echo, but it was a stress break. That would make sense. Minfilia weakly looked at the other. “I think I’ve just… been though a lot recently. I apologize if I frightened you.”

The Immortal Flame commander shook her head. “Just, uh… try not to do it again? I don’t want you to… well, drown. That’d be a horrible way to go.” Even as she spoke, she went back to cooking, and Minfilia laid her head down again. Eyes closing.

“I have a question for you,” Minfilia finally said. “If Louisoix has passed, what has happened to those who followed him?”

“They’re still in Eorzea,” the Flame Commander said, “to make a brighter tomorrow. They merged with the Path of the Twelve, because their leader vanished, and now call themselves—”

“—vanished.” Minfilia knew that was… well, she was here. She knew it was wrong to interrupt, but—! “Do you know who that leader was?”

A long pause, as the stew bubbled away. “Actually, no.” The Flame Commander sighed. “They’re as forgotten as the Warrior of Light - you know, the one who helped save people, the hero who stopped Nael? It’s weird, but they’re just gone from our minds. Both the Warrior of Light and that leader. It sucks.”

Minfilia went silent, her face pale. The only think which stopped her from passing out was the smell of the stew, really. “…do you think you could remember them?” she asked. The Immortal Flame shrugged, and Minfilia let out a choked sound. “Has everybody forgotten them?”

“…you’re pretty invested,” the Immortal Flame pointed out.

“Of course I am! I was the leader of the Path of the Twelve - Minfilia Warde!”