A Search for Truth
There was a cold tint to the air, it burned across the edge of the soft hyur’s skin like a whisper of Coerthas, a welcome kiss of freshness amongst the albeit stale air. This road was too long, bending off, endlessly, into the distance. A chocobo ride would’ve been pleasant but even to that was a fear of scaring the pathetic page. Soon, she promised herself, an empty promise. Answers would come soon, she’d know what to do when she reached the chambers. She’d know everything then.
It had been years, searching, scouring, needing answers like a thirsty man in a desert. Yet this was the closest she’d been. It seemed like a mockery to her that her answers would come in the form of a chocobo-less pilgrimage with a dimwit assistant across one of the longest roads in Thanalan. The gods seemed to be mocking her.
He’d make some small words to her, asking her how she’d come to be where she was, what she came to do, basic stuff. If she hadn’t been so exhausted maybe she'd have received it better. The longer she walked though, the more his voice became like nails on a chalkboard.
What was so special about this kid anyway? He had the potential to be a strong man, sure, but he certainly was far from it currently. He didn’t have the will to keep his mouth shut for more than five seconds.
Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, the poor child asked “So, do you have any family around? Anyone to write to?” and Lumi’s throat ran dry, her hands shook and her feet had seemingly gotten much, much heavier. “No, not right now.” She answered, trying to keep calm. The bastard had the gall to ask another question, “What happened? What do you mean by that?”
Her wits had seared their ends like a candle clinging on to its last flame. She had seen enough. “You don’t know, do you?” She sneered.
“I don’t know what?” Came the naive reply.
“Anything, anything at all, about what happened, about my family, I bet you thought I was just some easy gil!” Lumi wretched back, tears threatening to spill down.
“Lumi, I’m sorry I-” Before the reply could fully leave his mouth, Arion was slammed back four yalms into the mud, the softness of the dunes cushioning his fall from the Arcane blast. “Enough!” Lumi screamed. “I’ve seen enough! I don’t need to know anymore.” She shed tears like tides of gushing rivers down her face, she shut her book with a snap. “I’m done with you and all the bullshit that comes packaged with you. I’m going off on my own.”
“You can’t be serious Lumi, it’s a death trap out there. You’ll surely die!” The boy pleaded helplessly.
“Then it wouldn’t be too soon would it?” She spat back, aggressively as she marched off into the rocky horizon. Lumi didn’t need anyone, especially not an incessant little boy nagging her ears off. She knew she could survive alone, she’d done it for long enough.