The Crimson Road He Walks
After coming to terms with his future and his feelings of loss as well as reconnecting with those he loved, it was time for the broken knight to become reborn.
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Back Home
Back within the Twelveswood, Zhirr'to visited his mother once more. The fear of letting his emotions get to him and the fear that he had nowhere else to turn had become prevalent within him. He and his siblings rarely visited, but he felt as if he had no choice. The Keeper reluctantly visited his old home, the settlement of Quarrymill within the Southern Shroud. It was within the walls of his old childhood home that he regained his direction.
"You remember your father, don't you?" Zhirr's mother asked gently.
"For what little time he was around? Sure." Zhirr's tone was that of sarcasm. One could almost taste how bitter his words were.
"My little Coeurl..." She spoke with affection.
Zhirr couldn't help but huff at his childhood name. "I know...I know. He left so he could fight to make sure others could stay free."
The female Keeper chuckled at Zhirr's irritation from being called his childhood name before nodding. "He did, yes. You've been crying, haven't you?"
Zhirr didn't want to look at her and nodded, silent.
With a sigh, she got up from her chair and walked towards the back of the house before coming back with a wooden case of sorts and a small, gently folded, piece of black cloth. It held something under its fibers. Zhirr couldn't help but glance at what she brought and his mother soon sat down with the cloth in hand. She seemed to look at it lovingly before looking at Zhirr.
"No more tears my little Coeurl, you won't be lost much longer." She knew...as all mothers do.
"When your father...passed, some of his closest friends in the Resistance personally delivered me his things." It was evidently still painful for her to think of, though she seemed to look back at the memory of her old lover quite fondly.
Zhirr's ears perked up at that. "Wait, I've never seen these. I thought you showed us everything he left behind." He straightened up and peered at the case and cloth.
His mother couldn't help but snicker. "I know. He told me to save these for the one who needed them. For the one who would follow in his footsteps." She began to unfold the cloth.
"He told me that this road he went down on had given him everything. Admitted to me that he hadn't felt like his true self until..." Beneath the black cloth, a red stone with the impression of what seemed to be a sword revealed itself.
"Until he balanced himself." She sighed fondly. "He also told me that one day you would perhaps find yourself in need of it...or your siblings. I think the time has come."
Zhirr's eyes widened as he peered at the black cloth that held this new stone he hadn't seen before. "This was his?" He spoke with the giddiness and excitement of a child.
It was a bittersweet moment for her mother and she chuckled, nodding once more. "Yes...perhaps you could use it. It might help you as it did him."
Zhirr gently took the stone and it glowed very faintly. It responded to him, but not quite as strong as it could. Perhaps Zhirr wasn't quite ready for it. His eyes quickly darted to the wooden case. "And what's that?"
His mother stood up and shook her head. "Don't get too excited." She spoke with affection and beckoned him over. "This was also his." She undid the metal clasps that kept it shut and gently moved the top half of the case. Inside was a saber as well as a focus. Both looked old as if they hadn't seen use in a long time, but they were still maintained.
Zhirr's eyes widened even further...if it was at all possible and he was in awe. "You never told me?"
His mother shrugged, looking smug. "Well, you seemed quite set on your own path when you first left here...and I figured there's only one reason why you've come back." She put a hand on his cheek, tenderly stroking that part of his face with her thumb. "Use these as your father did. They helped him. Maybe they could help you..."
The tipping of the scales had begun. Zhirr's balance was set in motion from this moment forward.
Searching for a Teacher
With a thoughtful companion at his side, Zhirr'to and the amiable Elezen that accompanied him found themselves in the Fringes. Throughout that time, the conversed and had grown just a bit closer before ending up at Rhalgr's Reach. It was there that Zhirr'to's new friend had been successful in locating the whisperings of a possible teacher for Zhirr'to. One that resided in Ala Mhigo. Zhirr'to's traveling companion had her own reasons for coming to Gyr Abania and in his efforts, Zhirr'to found a way to aid her. Once the two arrived in Ala Mhigo, they eventually went their separate ways. Zhirr'to was successful in locating a teacher. However, they certainly didn't want to be sought out. Thanks to Zhirr'to's tenacity, the prospective teacher wavered and took Zhirr in as a student. It was his time alone and the conversations he had with others that aided Zhirr in recovering his old self. He gained wisdom as time went on honing both body and mind. As time would go on, he would acquire clarity and balance within himself much like the Red Mages of Ala Mhigo do when balancing their magicks. The longer he remained by himself, the better he felt as an individual when forming and solidifying his own identity. His father's memories within the stone that he obtained fostered an even deeper connection to the man that he had heard so much about. During this period of self-identification and balance, Zhirr'to further attached himself as a son of Ala Mhigo and by extension, Rhalgr. Not much could pull Zhirr'to out of Gyr Abania...
Saying Goodbye
Zhirr'to still had responsibilities waiting for him back in the rest of Eorzea. However, he wrestled with whether or not he was truly needed and if others could move on without him. Did he need to finish what he started? Maybe. Maybe not. All he knew for certain was that he wouldn't be returning. Not yet. Not unless if something so drastic happened that would yank him out of Gyr Abania. He was content and was at peace for now. While he missed those he left behind, he knew they would be okay and in time, they perhaps could move on without him. Was he making a mistake? It was a question that he avoided answering.
Zhirr'to's own mind had attempted to find some semblance of peace. Here he was with his own thoughts as he sat on the walls of Ala Mhigo overlooking the Lochs.
"I know they might be upset with me...but they have each other...and that's enough for me. I hope they can forgive me if I ever return. If I don't, I hope nothing but happiness for them in the future."
