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Fate is written in fire.
Phoenix, the Firebird, was the embodiment of fire. It was like no other Eikon, for this bird held the flames of rebirth within it. When Phoenix was thought to have perished, it laid to rest in a pyre of fire and let it burn away all it had once been. It was a complete, utter recreation of the divine bird, so devastatingly final that one could think the Phoenix to be truly gone.
The flames would roar all night, until there’s nothing left of the pyre but ash. The darkest hour would pass on in silence, only in the song of the nightingales, messengers between the worlds. All shall stand still and wait, drying their tears and surrendering to the trust of the miracle that’s about to unfold before their eyes.
For at dawnbreak, the Phoenix emerges anew from the ashes.
Is it over now?
The thought rang through Clive’s head again and again as he descended back to the earth, like a victorious soldier returning home after the greatest conquer. He felt all but victorious – even though Ultima was finally defeated, he had slain a god and saved the world, he had still failed in his most important mission: keeping his beloved little brother safe.
For a moment, as he arrived at the centre of the Origin, he kept his eyes closed and prayed in the darkness that it would all have been just a nightmare. It just could not happen again. He had already watched his brother die years ago at Phoenix Gate – even though Joshua did not truly die then, he was still dead to him for those agonizing long years. He could not lose his brother again, not after finally getting him back. They were supposed to walk together from here on out, but the night was growing dark. With all his might, Clive hoped that Joshua would run to embrace him, welcoming him home from the final battle. The agony of loss did not fade, but he did not dare to open his eyes just yet, in the greatest fear for it to be real.
Is it all over for us, Joshua? We are one and the same. You could not go without me. When we fight, we fight together – and when we die, we die together.
It just cannot be over.
It had all been Ultima’s plan. Clive was made a vessel, the only one able to cast the ultimate spell for creating a new world from the magic harvested with the mothercrystals. One thing Ultima had not anticipated, not even considered to be able to happen in his perfect plan – for his vessel to manifest a will of his own. All this, each hardship and heartbreaking loss, all were meant to break his resolve, but none did. Even when his will flayed, it was those he loved who restored his faith. Their bonds helped him to stand firm when Ultima’s pull had been the strongest.
This world of magic, Bearers, Dominants – he had long ago set out to change it. Humanity might have been Ultima’s creation for harbouring the Mythos, the final piece of the god’s goal of creating a new world. Yet it was to come to an end now. Behind him lay the core of the final Mothercrystal – after this one final push, all magic would be eradicated, and the curse it brought would go down in the very same flames.
The flames of the Phoenix fluttered in his heart, slowly flickering away as he waited there in perfect silence. All he could think was the fate of his brother. Even by the side of the entire world, it meant nothing if Joshua wouldn’t be there to see it. He’s gone, Clive, just accept the truth, a part of him cursed at himself. As his final wish, Joshua had granted the powers of his Eikon to Clive, and that moment was forever imprinted on his grieving mind. Clive was a master of denial, but this, this he struggled to deny.
The memory was still there, as clear as his own reflection – the pain in Joshua’s clouded eyes, the sweet release of it finally dissolving for a moment before he’d closed them for good. The searing hot blood had pooled below his body, staining Clive’s arms while he cradled his dying brother. All he’d been able to think was the memory of holding Joshua for the first time, when he’d been small enough to fit fully into his arms, so fragile and innocent and perfectly unaware of this cruel fate awaiting them in the shadows. Clive had been there on Joshua’s first day, and now he was there for his last.
If I could’ve just stopped time right there.
As the tears welled up in his eyes, Clive finally looked into the dark silence ahead of him. He’d waited long enough – it was time to face the truth. The hope of finding his brother alive and well was annihilated that very instant, his gaze falling to the corpse lying where he’d left him. Still, his heart wrenched at the sight. There was Joshua, the one Clive had sworn on his life to protect. He lay there unmoving, not breathing, growing cold in the pool of his own blood. ‘Thank you Clive, for being my brother.’ Joshua’s last words echoed in Clive’s mind – how could’ve he thanked him for this?
I’m so sorry, Joshua. I’m so sorry.
With weary steps, Clive walked to the body and collapsed on his knees. He stroked the golden hair from Joshua’s forehead, his hands shivering as he wept. Joshua’s life had just begun, it should’ve not ended this way, not yet, not this soon, even though he had said this was what he wanted. His final wish was now granted, but Clive just did not know how he could ever walk away from here alone. Sobbing quietly, he lifted Joshua into his arms, embracing him tight, still hoping to breathe life into this empty shell where his soul had already fled.
For so many years, he chased the shadow of his killer, when he thought he’d lost Joshua at Phoenix Gate. It was vengeance that pushed him forward, gave him strength to face another day of slavery and pain and death – it was all for him. All for avenging Joshua. Though it had been five years since Clive discovered it was himself, Ifrit, who’d slain the Phoenix – or so he thought then – he could not forget the agony. He could not forget how the wages of guilt had tortured him for days that had felt like an eternity. Thought that, all that pain, was truly nothing compared to his. Deep in his soul he had known Joshua was alive. He had not accepted the truth then, but the flame of Joshua had been burning within his heart all along.
And it still is.
Losing the sense of time floating around him, the aether growing dense and unstable within his heart, he remained still and focused on the faint flame ever burning in the depths of his soul. Joshua had given the Phoenix to him, but as with every other Eikon, it didn’t mean the Dominants lost them completely nor died from the loss. The Phoenix was still alive, even though Joshua was deader than dead; Clive held his fingers on Joshua’s neck, hoping to feel the faintest hint of his pulse, but as minutes had passed on and on, it was certain as grave that Joshua’s heart no longer beat. It was torn into shreds by Ultima, the god he had so selflessly kept contained within his own weakening body to protect Clive from it.
Just what can I do to protect you as well, as I promised?
‘If the wound doesn’t take me, the curse will.’
Through the tears, Clive gazed at Joshua’s face. He looked so peaceful now. For twenty-eight years, he had been in so much pain, sickly since birth, yet always bearing it so bravely. Joshua never wanted to show his pain to the others, but finally, all the pain was gone. As if he was smiling from death, painless despite the mortal wound on his chest, he was free of it all. But this wasn’t the freedom we fought for, not the freedom of death, my brother. But they could live on their own terms now… and die as well.
Is this truly what we fought for?
He had all the power in the world in his hands. He was Ultima’s perfect vessel now, made to contain the immeasurable amount of magic within him, only to cast a single spell. But a new world wasn’t what he wanted – he wanted a world with his brother in it. If he could raise a whole new world, why couldn’t he just raise Joshua?
Maybe that’s it.
Phoenix, the firebird, could heal what had been mortally wounded, yet even its powers were not enough to raise the dead. But now, at this moment, Clive was a god, an omnipotent and almighty, and with his will alone, he could, just maybe, bring Joshua back to life. The healing flames of the Pheonix could mend the open wound in his heart, and the power of a god could return his soul to his restored body, will his heart to beat again. Clive looked at Joshua’s face, the peaceful expression now replacing all the pain.
“I didn’t want it to end this way,” Clive muttered, wiping the tears from his eyes that clouded his vision. “We were supposed to go home together. Our friends are waiting for us there. We made a promise, didn’t we? I can’t go back without you. So please, Joshua –“ a painful sob made his speech halter, “You have to forgive me for not being able to let you go. You have to understand. With all my might, I just have to try.”
Softly, Clive lowered Joshua’s body back to the ground. Then he placed his hand on Joshua’s chest and summoned magic through his veins, the ultimate strength of it taking him by surprise. The perfect vessel he might be now, but this – this was truly breaking through all his limits. Before the spell was finished, the flames started bleeding through his skin, the healing might of the Phoenix now enveloping Joshua in a veil of bright pure fire.
The flames danced around his dead brother’s body, enclosing him into the cradle of light like Phoenix’s protective wings. Tears evaporated from the heat, blood boiling with a heavy scent of iron and death, but slowly and surely did the flames mend Joshua’s torn body. His bloodied chest was cleaned and the gaping wound on his heart closed – Clive could barely believe his eyes, but it worked. The gravely injured, sickly brother appeared healthy, just like the way he had been before taking Ultima’s curse on him.
But Joshua did not live.
He still, despite everything, upon the greatest godly power, just did not live.
The fire died down and darkness fell into the chamber once more. With all the strength Clive had left, he held back a despairing scream – he did not want to disturb Joshua’s peaceful slumber, even in death. Clive waited still, defeated, his gaze locked on the healed body which still did not move, still did not draw in the breath of life.
“I’m sorry, Joshua,” Clive whispered and shakily stood up, closing his eyes as the tears fell again. “May you rest well then, in a place more beautiful than this.” A wave of pain washed over his body upon casting that spell, and right then, he knew what would follow. “Looks like I will meet you soon enough. Ultima’s power is too great for this vessel, after all. But while I have it… I can set things right. His legacy… Dominants, Bearers, crystals, magic, all consigned to the flames. Even if it means the end of me.”
Then, Clive walked closer to the nexus of the Origin, summoning ever more magic through him, channelling a great pyre which would consume the heart of darkness and bring light back to the world. All this would burn to ashes. Even if he couldn’t revive Joshua, this he could do – remove the curse that could’ve claimed him, and had claimed so many lives before them, the land they lived in, even the very skies had been concealed behind this veil of Blight.
It ends here, and it ends with me.
From the night did the flames envelop the darkness, surrounding Clive as he cast out all he had – the power of each Eikon he had obtained combined with Ultima’s divine essence, he conjured it all into the fire, and so the silence was filled with the roar of the flames. The Mothercrystal yielded under the pressure, crackling and shattering upon the ultimate power, and all of Clive’s senses faded into the symphony of destruction. In his world, there was nothing but fire, the final funeral pyre for him, his brother, and the world they had been born of – that they would now finally bury.
The skies opened, and the veil that had shielded the starry heavens for so long, finally parted as the Origin fell into the sea. Glimmering like stardust, it shattered and rained down, dissolving into the darkness. The full moon shone so brightly upon the new world that had just taken its first breaths without magic, and everyone who bore witness to the sight knew that something had just shifted, even those who had no awareness of the battles that were occurring. Every soul in the entire Valisthea could feel it in their bones.
After this darkest hour, the dawn would finally break.
Waves washed gently ashore under the moonlight. It was the first sound that Clive recognized after the deafening silence. He had fallen from the heights into the sea along with the Origin, expecting to die right there, but he could still hear. Through all the exhaustion that he’d thought to take his life, he was still there, lying on the sand and facing the star-bright sky.
Clive opened his eyes, unable to believe he was still breathing. Everything felt different to him now. Through the pain, he could sense the change in the atmosphere – magic was fading. First, his gaze found the red star of Metia right next to the moon. Jill had used to pray to the star, she’d been so upset when it was obscured by Ultima’s spell. Yet, she still believed the star to be there, and hoped it would hear her deepest wishes, that Clive would come back to him. Now, she’d seemed to hope it more than ever before, and Clive did not know why.
“Do you see it too, Jill?”
His voice was dry and worn, barely a whisper. He reached his hand to the sky and even though he felt the absence of magic, he tried to summon a spell. Only an ember sparked on his palm, then agony struck him with the strength of lightning. His hand petrified in an instant and fell powerless to the sand alongside his body. Clive let out a heavy sigh. He’d seen it a thousand times what happened to Bearers all around Valisthea. Dominants suffered the same fate in the end, he’d seen that too, as he’d lost Cid whose name he now bore.
Maybe it was fitting for him at last.
“I might not be coming home, after all,” Clive whispered and closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”
He knew he would not be coming back. His weakened heartbeat was fading with every shallow breath he took. He would die here on this beach, all alone as the waves would rock against his dying body, eventually turning fully to stone and then to sand. To the bottom of the sea would he find his final resting place, after perishing all alone to pay the price of his ultimate sacrifice. This is dying on my own terms, then, Clive thought. A hero’s death.
“Clive!”
Somebody called for him.
Somebody familiar.
Clive had no strength to turn his head towards the voice, nor could he open his eyes again. It had to be nothing more than an echo of a dying mind, the voices of those he loved calling to him from across the grave.
“Clive! Is it you? Clive!”
Joshua.
Running steps came closer to him in the darkness.
I must be passing to the afterlife now. You waited for me, Joshua, didn’t you? We would go together. Now you’ve come to pick me up.
Then, someone collapsed on his body, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him fiercely. “Clive! Clive! Wake up! You’re still alive! Don’t go! Don’t you dare to go without me!”
Joshua?
Clive felt as he was pulled into a warm embrace, a familiar heartbeat drumming softly against his own. He knew who it was, but it… it could not be. Joshua was dead, not even his spell had managed to raise him, but this felt so real. So painfully real, as if Joshua was truly there with him, alive and well. Was his dying mind conjured his ghost here only to keep him company in his last moments? Or had Joshua truly come to take him to the other side?
“Clive, it’s me, Joshua. I couldn’t find you amongst the flames, but here… here you are. Wake up, please, just talk to me.”
“Josh… Joshua?” Clive managed to mutter, powerless after exhausting himself in the last spell he would ever cast. “Joshua, you… you are supposed to be dead. I watched you die. How… how are you here now?” So slow and weak, Clive opened his eyes just enough to glimpse his brother’s face, ever so free of all the pain. “It’s… It’s gotta be a dream, or then we are both dead.”
Joshua shook his head, though tears of happiness poured from his eyes and dropped down to Clive’s cheeks. He smiled just so briefly before bursting into sobbing again.
“Thank the Founder you are allright,” Joshua whispered and hugged him tight, not letting go the slightest. “I know. I remember. I was there, Clive. I was dead. Father welcomed me back home, and mother was there too. Everyone we had ever lost.” He paused to gasp for breath amongst the sobs. “But then there was fire. Father turned to me and thanked me for the visit, saying he’s been watching over both of his sons, and that he’ll keep doing so until we meet again. But that the time wasn’t yet. Then, I don’t know… it was your fire, Clive. The funeral pyre that was supposed to bury me… I awoke amidst that.”
Joshua embraced his brother so tight that he could feel his heartbeat against his own. Just a moment ago, his own heart had been failing as well, the beats echoing away, but now did the fire roar inside his soul once again, strengthened by Joshua’s presence. And slowly, it started to sink in that this was real. They were both alive and breathing. Clive tried to lift his left hand, wondering if it had turned fully to stone already, but it had not. The petrification had stopped at his wrist, and the fire inside of him prevented it from creeping further upon his body.
“So, the Phoenix was reborn in the flames,” Clive said quietly with a soft smile. “But the Eikons… they are gone, aren’t they? I can’t feel Ifrit anymore. It’s disappearing with the last Mothercrystal, with all the magic in this world. If the Phoenix brought you back, then how…”
“I don’t know,” Joshua started and lowered Clive back to the sand, so that he could better see his face. “I’m not sure, but I feel better than… than in ages. It’s like all the sickness I had all my life is just… gone.”
Clive chuckled. “You look healthier. At least compared to when you were literally dead.”
“And you look terrible.”
Clive would have laughed if he got the strength to it, nor had the pain in his chest stopped him. While Joshua was healthier than ever, Clive couldn’t say the same about himself. The pain that had scorched all over his body hadn’t faded anywhere, even if in the moment’s shock he had forgotten it.
“I feel terrible,” Clive answered. “Like I’d just challenged a god into a duel and won.” He closed his eyes and rested his head back, taking in a deep breath. “I… I’m going to be fine. I just gotta be. I can’t just leave you here alone, now that I’ve got you back from the dead. Twice at that, even.”
Joshua smiled. “There are people waiting for us at home. We should head back,” he said and turned his gaze to the sky, to the bright red star next to the moon. “Before they start to worry too much.”
Clive stilled at his words. He had said the same thing to Joshua while holding his lifeless body – had he heard him, after all, understanding what he had done to revive him? Though, Clive was almost certain it wasn’t his spell that raised Joshua from the dead. He might’ve done all he could, even set the pyre ablaze, but it was Phoenix, and Phoenix alone that granted him the blessing of rebirth – as a final gift before parting for good, dissolving with all magic, leaving Joshua’s body free of the Eikon’s burden.
And now, Clive realised that he could still feel the fire of Joshua’s soul deep within his own. He thought about it for a moment, relished in the feeling of the strongest bond, and came to know that their flames had always been united, with Eikons or without them. Phoenix and Ifrit might have been born from the same flame, but so were they, brothers through and through. Magic was no more, but their bond persisted. And it always would.
Joshua knew it too.
The stars in the sky began to slowly dim out as the dawnbreak was drawing near. Knowing they were still exhausted from the battle, both of them having knocked on the doors of death and stepped in, they lay in the sand side by side and gazed at the skies. Clive wondered if the heavens had ever been so starbright as they were now.
But right next to the moon, the red star of Metia was flickering away. The red star had once shone the brightest, but no longer, as if it drew its last breaths with the fading magic. Jill is seeing this, Clive knew, ever feeling from afar as her hopes and dreams flickered out of existence. Only when they would return alive and well, just as Jill prayed to, would she be convinced that human bonds were not made of magic, but out of love. And love, of all things, would rule the realm after magic would vanish.
“Let’s go home, Joshua,” Clive said then. “It’s a long way back to the hideaway, but we will make it somehow.”
“Yeah, let’s go home,” Joshua replied, and reached out his hand. “I know we will. For from here on out, we’ll walk together.”
Clive turned his eyes from the sunrise to his brother. Golden light danced on Joshua’s hair, his smile so beautifully bright as he waited for Clive to take his hand. And then he did.
“Yeah,” Clive whispered and smiled. “From here on out.”