Velmoria's Hope

Standing atop one of Velmoria's battlements, things became clear. 

In Itsuki's brief time within The Fallen Lands, the clouds have never parted. They were ever-present; both during the day and night. 

Now, those clouds were gone. Instead, a vibrant nighttime sky stretched above them. The cloud were visible in the far distance, but directly above was like the eye of a hurricane. 

The night sky was far more vibrant than in Itsuki's world. Perhaps from the lack of artificial light? Either way, the stars and galaxy beyond were like something from a painting. 

Yet at the same time, amidst the circumstances, it almost felt alive.

"It figures," Vaelric chuckled as he gazed above. "You show up, and the Cataclysm follows..."

"You don't think I did this, do you?"

"Not at all," Vaelric admitted. "I've lived a long enough life to know the gods are fickle..."

He brought his gaze down and turned his attention to his soldiers. 

"Go!" he commanded across the courtyard. "Find your families. Protect them. Protect each other. This long night will not end until we are but a fraction of our former selves. If you have an opportunity to escape, then don't hesitate to do so! Just be sure to help your fellow Velmorians along the way."

There was a resounding holler from the guards before they dispersed.

Alarak approached from the castle, carrying a gigantic two-handed scythe. Vaelric took it from him and twirled it a few times. Itsuki couldn't help but imagine he picked that weapon on purpose to fit the 'vampire' trope.

"Escort these two back to the guest area where they were earlier," Vaelric commanded him. "They can wait out the night in there."

"You're not serious?!" Itsuki questioned. 

"Very," Vaelric growled. "Whatever this Cataclysm brings, I am certain it will leave you two unscathed. So long as you stay out of the way, you're survival should be guaranteed. When morning comes, take whatever you need from our remnants so that you can get to Evermere."

Vaelric gave no more time to debate. He leapt from the battlement, landing gracefully despite the hundred-foot drop. 

"You're just going to lock us away?" Yuna asked Alarak. "We can fight with you..."

"Don't be foolish, girl." Alarak growled. "This is not a battle to be won - this is divine wrath to endure. Numbers will not cause a change. You will return to that room, and allow us to face the gods ourselves."

***

Yuna watched in horror as the atrocities unfolded outside their window. 

The starbeasts - horrifying eldritch creatures that had constellation-style markings all over their body. They descended endlessly - each one slain was two more that appeared from the sky. 

The vampires had tried to make a valiant defense, but it had failed almost immediately. The beasts did not simply rain from the sky. They seemed to appear from thin air, manifesting where clumps of Velmorians were trying to hide or stay safe. 

The streets were filled with mutilated corpses and screaming civilians. Only their one room seemed immune to the hellscape. 

"We can't just let this happen, Itsuki..." Yuna pleaded as tears came down her cheeks. "We have to do something!"

"I'm...trying...!"

Itsuki sat on the floor, trying to pull open his tome with all he was worth. It didn't matter what he did or how he manipulated the chains. 

Even when his hands were bloodied and blistered from sheer effort, the book did not budge. 

"What the hell!" Itsuki yelled out. "You give me this damn book and then don't let me use it!?"

itsuki turned her attention to Yuna. She was trembling in terror like her soul had already left her body. 

He got up and made his way to Yuna. He may not have been able to use his book, but he couldn't sit there and let this girl suffer so blatantly. She had given him too much for that. 

Without any thought, he grabbed her by the arm. Before she could resist, he pulled her in to a hug.

"Wha..."

Normally, Itsuki would've been anxious and over-thought such a moment. Amidst this mayhem, however, he didn't care.

"Stop watching, Yuna," Itsuki pleaded. "You're torturing yourself. Just be here with me, please..."

Yuna still trembled in his arms, but she didn't pull away. If anything, she refused to be released when he tried to loosen his grip. 

A few moments passed. Itsuki did what he could to comfort her, but the hellish sounds from outside were still very audible. 

"Stay with me, Yuna." he did his best to drown out the sounds with his voice. "I'm not going anywhere. We're safe here."

"I...can't..."

"Can't what?"

Itsuki gently pulled her away so he could see her face. 

"I...can't..." Yuna repeated. "I...can't...just sit here..."

Immediately, Itsuki understood what she was implying. Before he could interject, however, there was another.

"You intend to interfere?"

The voice, deep and bellowing, echoed through the whole room. Itsuki stiffened up - it was Bahamut's voice. 

"Yes..." Yuna confirmed, also able to hear the voice. 

"They are grotesque creatures, aren't they? You said so yourself."

"I was wrong," Yuna admitted tearfully. "I judged them wrong. Very wrong."

"Your job is not to be the judge, girl..."

"That's true," Yuna's tone grew lower and sharper. "I have a different job. The one that Itsuki gave me back at Brightmoor..."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

Yuna closed her eyes and paused for a moment. Itsuki couldn't hear her thoughts, but it was surreal to watch nonetheless. 

Her tears dried and her trembling stopped. Her posture went from one of terror to conviction. 

"To bring Hope!!"

Before Itsuki could react, Yuna shoved him back with an unexpected level of force. She grabbed her Bow-blade and smashed open the window to their guest area. 

Itsuki lifted his arms in protection to protect himself from debris. It was only a moment, but it was already too late by the time he lowered them. 

Yuna had leapt from the tower, and was plummeting hundreds of feet towards the ground.