Speaking to Belias would not come for some days, however. As Minfilia returned home, she felt her tiredness overtake her. She’d worked so very hard - little wonder, then, that she had collapsed to sleep. Days turned to weeks. The world kept moving. The Sharlayan people who had moved in to the nation had been at odds with Ala Mhigans quite a bit - but not enough to call Minfilia from her rest.

Until now. Minfilia was barely dressed, looking at her hands - why, oh why, had her body suddenly begun to rebel doing much of anything - when Milleuda burst in. She didn’t feel the need to avert her eyes - instead, she strode over to Minfilias’ drawers, throwing over clothes. “There’s a problem, oh wonderful Emissary,” Milleuda said in a half-endeared, half-mocking tone. “Between people here. Before you ask, no, I couldn’t diffuse it.

Those arrogant Sharlayan bastards—”

“Shush,” Minfilia said, giving Milleuda a small kiss. She had finished getting dressed, and had a little smile on her lips. “It cannot truly be that difficult. They may have different viewpoints, but they agreed on the laws of this land when they came here.”

“And you think they’re keeping their word,” Milleuda replied, as the two began to leave Minfilias’ room. Milleuda prickled a little at the Hyurs’ tail curling around her leg, but relaxed. It was just hard to get used to - her beloved, even after all she’d put her body though. Minfilia sighed, rolling her eyes.

Her voice was still so gentle, even as she fought her tiredness. “I know it would take a lot for them to simply listen, but I hoped—”

“Hope has sure worked out for you, hasn’t it?”

Minfilia stopped. Quietly looked to the ground. Stopped movement. “‘tis a struggle. But it’s better then the squalor of Little Ala Mhigo - I do not want to make them think I would allow them to return there - and yet, those of Sharlayan do not know of that, now do they?

I wish I did not have to consider all of this. I am emissary, not ruler - but Belias has little ruling experience. Gigas are different then Man.”

Milleuda shrugged back, her voice growing a little gentler. “And here I thought that you saw all tribes and Man as the same.”

“That’s not it,” Minfilia replied, as they finally began to move again. “I simply see them as equal. It would be cruel and wrong to see them as the same - as wrong as seeing an Au Ra and Lalafell as the same.” She looked to her claws, and then back at Milleuda. “Each different Spoken - each of us - has our own skills. Our own bodies. Our own thoughts. I would not dare claim we are the same.

But two different groups of Hyur— they should know better!”

Milleuda gave a little sigh. “You’re naive, Minfilia, if you think like that.”

And perhaps she was, but Minfilia knew she had to save her energy. Because when there had been conflicts, usually, she’d need better arguments - geared towards the person.

Gods damn it. It was Stella, standing in the road against a Highlander, who stood barely able to hold back their anger. Minfilia strode over. (A few Tonberry keeping them seperated.) “…Thank you, my friends,” Minfilia begun, nodding to the fish-like creatures. “What seems to be the problem?”

The Highlander - a friend called Basil, Minfilia recalled - gave a snarl. “This lass thinks we shouldn’t try and clear off some things in th’Flats,” he said with a frown. “There’s been weird stuff coming from near the Tower, but since they’re not in our towns, she thinks they’re not a threat?”

Stella - with her strange-feeling aura - nodded. “If we simply slaughter creatures outside of our nation, will we not end up bringing more attention to us? Will we not bring war and strife? I believe that is not what any of us want.” Every word that dripped from her mouth felt cutting, both strong and terrifying. Minfilia felt an aura of distrust, of pain, from the woman. Was that why Noctis feared her?

Minfilia did not show this. She dare not.

“Stella. Do you know why the Crystal Tower is currently off-limits?” Stella shook her head. Minfilia stood firm. “It has recently been unsealed by the Garlond Ironworks, and is still being secured. If there are truly creatures and monsters coming from near the tower, they may be Allagan threats.” (Honestly, what was taking the group? Why hadn’t they continued to explore inwards, was there an issue she could help with?) “I do not wish for war.”

“But you are not their leader,” Stella replied coolly. “What does Belias wish for?”

“Our wishes are one.”

The group turned. Basil gulped. Belias towered over them, the kind-hearted Lucavi. “The Gigas have fought over this land for era.” Stella glared up at the Gigas. “After the time of Allag, their… experiments… are no longer welcome.

Or would you claim Sharlayan would not kill a wild beast that lingered just out of their territory? That they would not seek to keep their land safe?”

Silence. Until there were footsteps, and a muffled laugh. Minfilia turned - oh! She knew that uniform! A Gleaner! The Gleaner - with purple hair, and the tell-tale white scales of a Raen Au Ra - snorted. “Nah, they’d outsource it to our kind.”

Stella looked between them. “Is it not true that the Flats don’t belong to you, though?”

Ah. Minfilia nodded quietly. “Currently, it belongs to nowhere. However - that was before Belias woke once again. As his emissary, I hope to negotiate ownership without bloodshed of those who are able to discuss such matters.” Those with intelligence and sapience, in other words.

Belias nodded sagely. “But even then, we must defend ourselves. And while I am loathe to admit it - those we slaughter have made for the food we require to sustain ourselves.”

Basil nodded. “Right. You see, this place isn’t growing anything.”

“‘course it wouldn’t,” the Gleaner mumbled as they crossed their arms, “because it has the messed up aether. No crops has made this a very hard place to settle.”

“And we’ve taken on a bunch of refugees,” Basil added. “Without them, you’d probably have a better point.”

Stella continued to stand still. (Too still.) Belias looked down at her. Minfilia could feel the fire in her back tattoo still - something was wrong. “You’re one of his, aren’t you.” Belias was snorting slightly, flames beginning to shudder from him.

Stella blunk a few times.

“I cannot force you out - I wish not to lose track of you,” Belias said quietly. “But if you wish to cause chaos, then I shall be forced to do so, Ascian.”

Mistaken identity, but Belias could not know. Belias could not know that she was not an Ascian, but one of the group dedicated to the Worldeater. They both were similar, if you were to ask the Lucavi. Stella did not correct him, but she did not change her expression. “I simply wish to act upon the morals of Sharlayan,” she said calmly. “No more, no less. I will not accept you slandering me with a title you do not understand, simply because I do not fall in line.”

With that, she walked away, and Minfilia let out the breath she did not know she was holding. Her attention could now turn to Belias - and as she eyed him, she noticed something odd. Her expression grew a little wary again, as she spoke quietly.

“A quill, Belias?”

Belias softened, putting a claw around Minfilia - his other hand waving Brish off. “I… you spoke of me living in the past.

You were right, little Minfilia,” he said gently, kneeling. “But I want to be better. There is a friend, however, who I knew from long ago. One I’ve not contacted since I emerged from my stupor.”

With the gentlest of smiles, Belias looked upwards. While Minfilia would not notice, Belias looked towards the corpse of Midgardsormr, with his voice growing softer. “He has been a friend of mine since before my most recent soul,” Belias admitted, “one who knew me before this lifetime. We both know what it is to mourn those we cherish, and we both know what it is to care for mortals.

I… hope to send him a letter, so that he knows I am alive.” Belias could not be honest with Minfilia, when it came to this. He kept this secret close - for it would cause the chaos often left for Ascian.

Belias had to get in contact with Vrtra, to make sure that Mor Dhona was safe. To make sure that he was doing his best. Thavanir was a nation that Belias admired - and was so proud of his dear friend for keeping around. (At least, he thought it was still around. There had been so little news that Belias could have gotten, especially as he mourned what was.)

His claw moving away from Minfilia, Belias stood up straight. “M-my apologies, but I must return to my work.”

Smiling up at Belias, Minfilia couldn’t hide her own pride. “I hope your friend still lives, Belias. I’d love to meet them someday. But— my report? My information on the new recruits and people?”

Waving a hand, Belias shrugged. “I have already noticed. Dear Minfilia…”

“—I fear that the Syndacite of Ul’dah will not recognize our nation, Belias. They attempted to bribe me with such to make our nation part of theirs.” Disgust filled her voice, and Belias paused. Minfilia looked right up at him. That same Ala Mhigan anger and passion that carried her forward was on full display. “We can never let that happen. Many of those who’ve migrated here have suffered under them before. As soon as we’re of no use, they will throw us away.”

Belias looked down at Minfilia, his mask shifting slightly, sliding down the tiniest bit. His woolen coat heating up - triggered by the anger built within Minfilia. “Calm, little Minfilia,” Belias whispered, unable to hide his own snarl. “You know I will not allow such. The people of Mor Dhona shall be safe, from both Man and God and all in-between.

You have done well learning about this, my dear Minfilia - my dear emissary. It means,” Belias said with a snort, “we need not waste energy on converting them to our side. However - there is no need to fight against them.”

Was Stella right…? Belias continued. “If they come for us, I shall burn all of those who mean to hurt us. War— war is not something we should hope for. Yet know I am prepared.”

As Belias spoke, Minfilia could almost hear his voice grow distant. She did not even think of war. “Our shared enemy is still the Garlean Empire. We do not need to think about that, yet.”

“…You’re right,” Belias said, snapping out of it. “We can focus on the kinder things.”

“Such as your friend!” Minfilia smiled, her anger fading. Her pulse calming, a sense of calm beginning to come though her.

Said calm would be broken quickly, however, as footsteps suddenly sped towards them. Minfilia spun around, and saw— Lyse was there, stopping just before she crashed into the other Highlander.

“Minfy! I’ve been looking for you! Well, not me, but actually Papalymo. And then I told him I’d come to get you because we’re friends, and— anyway!

There’s been signs of a Primal summoning, and it’s time to go figure it out!”

Ah. Of course. Minfilia sighed, putting her arms around Lyse. “I’ll go get ready - but did Papalymo call anybody else first?”

“Of course! Cordis is handing things, but it’s better to work together,” Lyse admitted, not noticing Minfilia tense up oddly. (Minfilia did not know why she was wary about Cordis. But, well.

She’d work with him. He was the Warrior of Light, after all.