Moving by foot was harder then Minfilia thought - but, after all, she was heading up north though the mountains. Days had passed, and she had been told all sorts of stories from Bolormaa. Their first contact? He had been a liar and a cheat, and could not even name the correct Primal. Though, Bolormaa had insisted she had heard of a Primal called Tidus - but would not elaborate. Some old Doman thing, she’d said, a story which she’d overheard once or twice. Something about a sky whale? Not a story Bolormaa had gotten a chance to learn about. But Tidus was not Titan, and so their contact had been a bust. However, Y’shtola had thankfully returned with another promising rumour - this one on the beach. Bolormaa wished that Minfilia could be there, but she was just glad to hear that Minfilia had a good lead as well. Hopefully. Maybe.

It was a comfort that they could speak freely on their Linkpearls. Nothing here had to be kept secret - even if they were both cagey about exactly where they needed to go. Still had to be a little careful. But still, Fordola loved listening to the stories as Minfilia and Bolormaa gushed and went to sleep - speaking of their cultures, of their homes. Of course, Minfilia kept Fordola close - cuddling with her under the moonlight.

This night, though, Fordola looked up at the moon. The sky was filled with the same stars she would scream to when she was younger, when she was a person. The full moon beamed down on them, a comfort to many. But Dalamud had been a comfort, as well. Would this other moon fall? Would it break apart and would something be unleashed? Fordola wiggled out of Minfilias’ arms, crawling out of their tent and sitting on a rock out there. If that happened, nobody would survive. It had been Eorzeans who saved everybody last time.

Eorzeans, and their Warrior. That’s what Lord Gaius had said. But he had met them once, Fordola had heard, and he couldn’t recall them. They weren’t Minfilia, though. Gaius had remembered enough to tell her of the slightly short man, with burning purple eyes. A man who swung an axe to defend their people, even if they did not leave a scratch on Lord Gaius. (Who could? Even now, Fordola worshipped him in a way.)

Minfilia Warde was having a lot of pressure put on her, if only by herself, and Fordola let out a little whine to herself. She was so… so… small! And she couldn’t help, because she was a tiny little lizard! Sure, this was to save her mind, but she wanted to fight alongside Minfilia. Protect her.

…she loved Minfilia. She loved one who didn’t even want to fight. It was different then she’d expected, that was for sure. Fordola curled up, her eyes remaining on the moon. Eventually, she drifted off, to dream of the Ala Mhigo she wished for. But unlike dreams before, these ones seemed to include Minfilia - both of them standing, side-by-side, respected and accepted. They weren’t seen as savages - no, they had earned their place. Lord Gaius bowed to them. Lord Gaius moved out of the way to allow Emperor Solus to approach, to praise them with his soft tongue. (The Emperor Solus that Fordola knew was from stories. Like a crashing wave, he could be harsh, but he had brought the Empire up from nothing. He would need to respect her, if she did the same, right?)

Fordola was forced awake by the sensation of floating - she struggled for a moment before realising Minfilia had firmly grasped her, lifting her up for a soft cheek nuzzle. Affectionate… but it still startled Fordola, the tiny lizard letting out a puff of smoke. “Oi. I was havin’ a good dream.”

“Oh? Was I there?”

“Yeah. You were,” Fordola mumbled, her cheek-scales feeling a little warmer. “You were super cute, too, in big long dresses. I was in a suit, of course. I’ll never wear a dress again…”

Minfilia sighed, scratching at Fordolas belly a little. Looking around - they were nearly at Outer La Noscea, there was some Kobold territory to go though before they could get to an aetheryte - Minfilia then gave the best smile she could. “We shall find a way to make you larger again, Fordola.

Or… we could always go down to a Mammet customization store?” Minfilia chuckled, as Fordola began to struggle - Minfilia put her down as she began to put on her light armour. They had to get moving, after all.

Minfilia, of course, had heard of the Floating City of Nym. She’d heard so many stories, she’d carried it within her heart. A land of scholars - sometimes, jokingly, she’d asked if it turned into Sharlayan. And then she’d been told off for joking about such, Sharlayan was nothing like them, it was a place of study and safety. They’d never get involved in a war.

But it was there, in front of her. Somehow, so many years later, their homes still floated. But their people had long died - perhaps before the flood. (Would the flood have reached that high?) She looked out to the massive crumbling buildings, before realising she needed to sneak though past the main Kobold settlement. She couldn’t make her way though there, after all, and couldn’t speak freely with them. She needed to prove herself. Minfilias’ breath began to relax, and Fordola stared as she almost seemed to blend into the area. “It’s a skill I use for mining,” Minfilia explained, “to avoid most attacks or enemies. But if I move too swiftly or try and attack, I’ll be noticed.”

“You sure know a lot about mining,” Fordola commented, as she got comfortable. “That’s when we first met, wasn’t it, though. If you weren’t fightin’ for Eorzea, d’ya think you’d be a miner?”

Minfilia was whispering as they moved, but she had to think. “…no, I don’t think so. I think I’d always be a diplomat. What of you, Fordola? What do you think you’d be doing if… none of this had happened?”

Fordola whispered as well. Looking out at the metalworks of the Kobold, she sighed to herself. “Well. Depends. I’d still be in Garlemald. Perhaps I’d be promoted over being a Pyr. Someday, I hoped to be the highest rank I could. Lord Gaius— Lord Gaius would approve of me, finally. He’d love me.”

“…love you?” Minfilia asked, looking down, a little too loudly.

“Yeah. He— he takes care of us Skulls. There’s others who are closer then me. I wished for him to take notice of me. I could even stand at his side, like Livia.” Fordola didn’t see anything wrong with what she said, as Minfilia felt her gut begin to twist. “Livia stands by him all the time. He saved her as an orphan. Of course, her no-good sister ended up leavin’ and failin’ Lord Gaius.”

Minfilia gulped down her dread, before frowning. “…We’ll be fighting Lord Gaius, most likely. Do you think you’ll be able to handle it? I— doubt I’ll be able to negotiate peace.”

Silence echoed from both of them, as Minfilia continued to sneak. Fordola - well, she couldn’t speak for a while. She had to think, she had to ponder. “…I believe you can. Or— at least, I don’t think I can fight him. He’s like a second father to me.”

Fordolas’ words burned. Though Minfilia logically knew this was how one from Garlemald would act, it felt sickening to her. Her memories were fuzzy, but she swore she’d heard of how Gaius even struck down Cid. Somebody… somebody had saved him, somebody gone from her mind— the Warrior of Light? But if Gaius could hurt those who he cared for, what would he do to…? “Fordola, how often have you met Gaius?”

Fordola looked up from her bag, tail wagging. “I’ve seen him a few times! And he loves us Lupi. If I was a little better, I’m sure I’d get to speak with him.”

Disgusting. Minfilia bit her tongue, as they made it to Camp Overlook - that was the name, was it not? She allowed herself to finally drop her stealth, sliding down by the Aetheryte, letting herself attune to it. Minfilia then picked up Fordola, letting her attune to it as well. She’d need to look for a bunch of lillies… she couldn’t admit it, but Fordolas’ words had shaken her. She could have a little break, right?

…no, she couldn’t. The shriek of a Kobold snapped her out of her mood, and Minfilia shot to her feet. She ran in the direction - up the path, to see a Kobold being attacked by some of the nearby raptors. But this Kobold wasn’t in heavy armour - perhaps that’s why it was being attacked so easily. No, it wore what seemed to be a furred hood, alongside simple robes crafted for warmth. This wasn’t a metalworker, no. Why were they heading this way, though?

There was no time to consider such, Minfilia thought, as she drew her daggers. They moved swiftly, knocking the wild raptors off - cutting at their necks, a swift death. The Kobold stared upwards, eyes wide, teeth clattering. The back of their robes had been torn open, and they were injured - but they began to try and run.

Which was impossible. Their leg also trembled, bitten - not broken, but injured. Minfilia could catch up - and, finally, she could speak. “Please— I promise, I won’t hurt you,” she said - the Kobold freezing. They were against a wall, bloodied. “Pray, let me aid you. I’m a healer.”

Sniffling, the Kobold flinched - as Minfilia kneeled. They continued to stare up at her, terrified, as Minfilias’ hands began to glow with curative magic. It weaved into the Kobolds’ flesh, beginning to grow new flesh over the opened wound. Fur would not sprout, but it would at least stop the bleeding and open injury from getting worse. Her hands then moved to the injured leg, soothing the pain - stilling the injury. Her monster-like claws were clearly visible, and the Kobold stared.

“Not normal Overdweller…?” the Kobold mumbled, looking at Minfilia as she focused. Minfilia didn’t answer, as she continued to focus. Other injuries, other bites began to fade.

After she finished, the Kobold didn’t move. Minfilia smiled a little, warmly. “My apologies, friend, that I couldn’t aid sooner. I’ve just arrived. May I ask what Dig you belong to?”

That caught the Kobolds’ attention - not many Spoken actually bothered to know their culture. “I’m 23rd Order Scholar La Mi. Yes, indeed, mhm,” they chirped, beaming up at Minfilia. Minfilia smiled back, gently, offering her hand.

And then, Minfilia bowed her head. “Might I ask you some questions, then? I, ahem - wish to speak with Kobold about the recent summoning of Titan.” Before La Mi could protest, Minfilia continued. “I aim not to fight the Kobold! I am not part of Limsa Lominsa. Please - if you do not believe me, you may take me and strike me down.” Fordola stared at Minfilia though her bag. Was she serious?

Yes, yes she was, and the Kobold could see the same. “You are another scholar, seeker of knowledge? And a healer, cleric. We are the same!” La Mi began to chirp, and gestured for Minfilia to follow. The steps of a Kobold were slow, but Minfilia accepted it - as they walked across the plains, towards the Floating City of Nym. Now that they were closer, Minfilia could see rope ladders hanging from the floating rocks, and some Kobold up there. But how had they tied them up? Still, these Kobold were studying the Nymians…

…before Minfilia felt something soft under her feet, and saw something unexpected. The lillies that Belias had mentioned? They did not line the walls, but they instead stained the ground - and the floating hunks of rock had some, as well. Her steps slowed even more, until La Mi chirped. “Nymian Lillies! They help with the illness, the curse, the burden.” After a moment, Minfilia making a confused sound, La Mi tried to explain. “Us of the 23rd Order are trying to find what makes the floating rocks float, Overdweller, as tribute to Titan. But some who dig in become sickly and Green. An outside Healer is helping. But we can spare words, knowledge, about Titan. And about how naughty the Pirates are.”

And thus, Minfilia had her in. Minfilia had a way to speak with the Kobold. She followed, unafraid, into the caverns hidden by the lillies. Seeking knowledge… and, in the back of her head, Minfilia wished to also aid with this strange illness.

For that’s what a Warrior of Light did, right? …right?