Overcome with immense trauma after barely surviving the cruel machinations of Zenos & Fandaniel’s plot to use soul extraction technology on the Warrior of Light, Jade, despair captures her heart as their plan to release Zodiark unfolds. Consumed by fear of losing everyone she holds dear, Jade descends into casting aside her Chakrams in favour of the scythe.

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To be the Warrior of Light is no small task. Carrying the hopes and dreams of all who live, and have ever lived, is a burden most akin to the late Emet-Selch. To take but a single step forward is a monumental challenge in the face of damning odds; to take another requires more than the will to live, it requires the love, trust and aspirations of those who surround you. Those who would lift you up in the darkest and hardest moments.

Throughout her life, long before she took up the title of adventure, scion or Warrior of Light, she had been faced with hardship after hardship. Growing up a lone orphan amidst a society that simply didn’t have the time to help, Jade grew up an anxious and unsure woman, the weight of responsibility and the fear of failure haunted her every step, casting a shadow over her spirit.

Having come on the precipice of watching her own husband nearly die by her own body’s hands was an image she would never shake. It plagued her greatly, and she could do nothing but blame herself, thinking back endlessly to every moment she spent in borrowed flesh, reliving the trauma again and again, constantly blaming herself.

Unable to break this anxious cycle, it’s impact on her wellbeing took its toll; she began to fret her friends, who had stood ever vigilant beside her in the face of impossible threats such as Hades or Elidibus, weren’t strong enough alone to face what was to come. That their lives rested soley in her hands. This all-consuming fear culminated in one answer for her, she needed more power if she was to protect her friends, her family, from the impending doom.

From many of the wounded, she had heard stories passing the blame for the tower’s inception around. From an insidious plan by the alliance to incite civil war to beings from beyond the world itself, she had come to hear it all. But one story stood out, the tower had been formed by Reapers, Garleans in exile who turned to striking a dangerous bargain with those of the void in exchange for immeasurable power in order to fight back for their homeland.

Her quest to learn more about these reapers led her to an abandoned village in the mountains to the east where Garleans once practiced these dark arts. Upon learning how to commune a bargain with one from the void. From that moment forth, she abandoned her ways of the Dancer, casting aside her chakrams, in exchange for the ways of a Reaper of eld.

Upon returning to the camp, many of her Scion comrades could immediately sense something had changed. In a panic, Y’shtola asked what had happened, her Aether had become warped and frail. Jade admitted plainly where she had been, and what she had done, much to everyone’s fear; but none moreso than her own Husband, who burried his head in disbelief, wrought with guilt. Though able to notice the toll of Jade’s traumatising ordeal, he frankly didn’t know what more he could say or do to help. He had given his all to help her overcome her trauma, and it still wasn’t enough. Now, she’d turned to dark arts in a bid to save those she cared about, no matter how high the cost to her own life.

Days would pass in the camp while a plan to assault the tower of Babil was formed, but the obvious unease of the scions lended nothing to morale. G’raha, the most troubled of them all, had been unusually silent the past few days, not even so much as able to face his Wife at the moment. The silence eventually became too loud. Y’shtola forced the two of them into the same room to talk things out, though she wasn’t entirely pleased by Jade’s undertaking, she trusted her enough to know what she was doing.

Jade’s attempts of convincing her husband that things would be okay didn’t seem to even scratch the surface. Jade pleads with him, choking on her own tears.

We have no idea what we’re up against, I had no choice! What if something happened to the others? Or God forbid you, I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you, G’r-

He clenched his fist, and turned around suddenly, tears streaming down his face;

AND HOW DO YOU THINK I’D FEEL IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU, JADE?!

The outburst stunned her, and silence befell the room briefly.

… G’raha, I-

No! Don’t. Don’t even try. I can’t even begin t- to… Jade, what about Rose and Leah? What about the others out there…? Did you even stop to think about what you mean to everyone else?

His words struck a cord, her tears began to flow as she fell to her knees, head in her hands

… Or what you mean to me? … We’ve conquered insurmountable odds together, time and time again… Jade, you’re not the Scion’s weapon, you’re their cherished companion, and you’re my wife…

G’raha… I was so scared, I’m sorry, I really am… but what comes next is nothing like Vauthry… or Hades or Elidibus or…

She takes a moment to compose herself.

I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, I didn’t know what to say… I didn’t want to drag you into more of my suffering…

He says nothing. She shuts her eyes and grits her teeth slightly, and lets out a brief but stern sigh.

G’raha. I watched you nearly die, twice.

Her words obviously have an impact, his ear twitches ever so slightly.

You were prepared to die for me that day, atop Mt. Gulg. To die for the world… And then again atop the crystal tower! … I never mentioned to you how heartbroken I was because I trusted that you were only acting to save the people you loved…

That is NOT the sam-

Yes, it is.

The silence is deafening.

But throughout it all, I still trusted you, and you have never… ever proven that trust misplaced.

Tears beginning to overwhelm them both.

It’s so selfish of us, isn’t it…,

G’raha quietly murmors. He then turns back again to her and says calmly.

Jade, I want to be there for you, no matter how deep your despair or great your suffering. I will be there, always. That was a part of our vows, and it was my entire promise to you.

… I-

That was part of your promise, as well; but I failed in mine.

She’s stunned, and guilt begins to wash over her.

I didn’t know what to say, or how to say it, I didn’t know what you needed to hear… I’m sorry, I failed you.

He turns his back to her; muffled with tears, she angrily splutters.

No, G’raha Tia, you did not fail me.

She rushs in and hugs him from the back, weeping into the fur collar of his winter coat.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell you, how else are you supposed to know?! I had to do something, anything, G’raha. I know it was selfish, I’m so sorry, the guilt consumed me… If you had died that day… I had to do something, G’raha, I had to…

She lets go and falls to her knees, head in her hands. Her breakdown stuns him, since she returned from the camp he hasn’t paid mind to how traumatised she was, how much seeing her own body nearly kill him has severely haunted her. He turns around and rests on his knees, hugging her without a word. His reaction takes her by surprise and she freezes. Choking on his own tears as he holds them back, he says;

No matter what happens, I will not let any harm come to you, and I know you won’t let any harm come to me, or anyone.

I have unwavering faith in you. Like you had, have, in me. The depths of my love for you know no bounds.

… I’m sorry, I’ll do better nex-

Before he can finish his word, she returns the hug and squeezes him tight.

Don’t you dare apologise again

She says, muffled by the fur collar of his coat.

Initially surprised by her response, he lets out a light chuckle, before they both continue to simply embrace each other. After a minute or so of silence, Jade lightly chuckles to herself and whispers

What would the kids think if they saw us like this…

G’raha laughs back.

don’t think Rose would be too happy, but I think Leah would find it hilarious…

Hah, yeah… I hope they’re okay…

She says slowly as she pulls away from Graha and both begin to stand up.

I’m sure Tataru is taking great care of them.

They share a kiss before heading outside of the room, and just as they begin to make their way back to the main building, Y’shtola surprises them from behind, with a rather smug look on her face.

Goodness, I didn’t think the waterworks were going to end for at least another hour.

Both turn around slowly, rather flustered. As either try to go to say a word, Y’shtola simply lifts her hand in a stoping motion.

No need, I knew you’d talk it through. Come, we have a plan ready to assault the tower.

Both nod, Jade wipes away any remaining tears and prepares herself to see her friends again, as G’raha offers to take her hand. As they make their way back to the main building, Y’shtola lightly gestures along the way

For what it’s worth, I think Rose would’ve found that hilarious too.

Fin.