A few months after the culmination of Jade and Zenos’ final battle. The consequences of Jade overwhelming her pact’s voidsent had taken shape in the form of a strong and sensitive connection to black magic. Feeling out of her depth, Y’shtola sends Jade to find the only mentor she thinks can teach her the way now, Asenshi Ryoko-sha, one of the most respected Black Mages who lives in Isolation somewhere on the outskirts of Thavnair.

The trading festival at Kadjaya’s Footsteps was bustling beneath a vivid, sunlit sky, alive with the hum of chatter, laughter, and commerce. Jade navigated the vibrant crowds, curiosity mingled with a hint of uncertainty; Y’shtola’s recommendation was clear yet vague, her directions even more so. Jade had almost begun to doubt if this enigmatic mage named “Asenshi” truly existed or if she’d simply wandered into a wild goose chase.

Lost in thought, Jade didn’t hear the quiet, precise footsteps approaching behind her. Without warning, strong fingers closed around the back of her neck, effortlessly lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing at all.

“Which one of you lost their cat?”

A cool, commanding voice carried effortlessly over the murmur of the crowd, silencing a nearby group of merchants.

Jade spluttered indignantly, her tail flicking furiously as she twisted and flailed, attempting fruitlessly to free herself.

“I beg your pardon?! Put me down immediately!”

She was spun around mid-air to face her captor, her words dying on her lips as she met a pair of piercing emerald eyes. Standing before her was an imposing Viera woman, towering and regal in black robes trimmed with shimmering emerald-green feathers. Raven-black hair cascaded elegantly around tall, proud ears, framing a face both strikingly beautiful and intimidating. Jade had never encountered anyone quite like her yet instantly knew she was exactly whom she was looking for.

“Well, aren’t you a spirited little thing,”

Asenshi drawled, the corners of her mouth quirking in an amused smirk.

“I suppose you speak, then?”

“Of course I speak!”

Jade hissed, cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment as she continued struggling ineffectively in Asenshi’s unyielding grip.

“Now kindly put me down, please!”

With a fluid motion, Asenshi set her down roughly, folding her arms and gazing down at Jade with a disdainful expression.

“Run along then, little cat. I’ve no time for strays.”

Jade straightened her clothes indignantly, brushing herself off. Her patience wearing thin, she squared her shoulders and met Asenshi’s disdainful stare with determination.

“W-Wait! I came to find you specifically! I’ve heard rumours you’re the best of the best. I came seeking your help in learning black magics better!”

Asenshi tilted her head back slightly, an incredulous smile curving her lips as a dry, mocking chuckle escaped her.

“Oh? And tell me, pray, what reason could I possibly have to waste my precious time training someone like you?”

Asenshi is examining her physiology deeply, she goes to feel Jade’s left ear before it quickly flattens at the notion of touch. While wondering if Asenshi had ever met a Miqo’te before and/or if she had any idea of even the concept of personal space, Jade hesitated briefly, confusion simmering beneath her controlled exterior. Her voice rose with a slight edge of desperation.

“I’ve had a… difficult experience with a voidsent, and now some of my closest friends have been telling me I have a connection with black magic I need to learn how to control more and put to use, and as the Warrior of Light I-“

She was cut off immediately as Asenshi threw her head back in open laughter.

“The Warrior of Light? Do you think to sway me with legends and fairy tales, little cat? Perhaps you truly are deluded.”

She mutters through her laughter, dismissively. A brief pause stretched between them. The laughter stung more than Jade had expected, igniting a sudden blaze of anger in her chest. Her fists clenched at her sides, and she lifted her chin defiantly, her eyes blazing.

“You know what? Do you know how much I’ve given to fight for the future? Any idea at all? I nearly even gave my own damn soul to stop the Final Days! I don’t need some arse-y Viera’s approval or help. I’ll figure it out myself.”

She spun around sharply, her stride quick and resolute, prepared to leave the arrogant mage behind. Yet before she’d made it more than a few steps, she felt herself lifted once more by the collar. Her feet dangled comically above the ground, causing several onlookers to glance over in amusement.

“Now, now, little cat,”

Asenshi’s voice drawled lazily, the smug amusement returning.

“No need to lose your temper. Let us speak more… calmly, shall we?”

“PUT ME DOWN!!”

Jade yelled indignantly, flailing helplessly once more in a mix of embarrassment and fury as Asenshi simply smiled, evidently amused.

After a moment of exaggerated consideration, Asenshi sighed lowered Jade gently but firmly back onto solid ground. Jade stumbled slightly, her dignity bruised far more than her body. Straightening up once more, she glared up at the tall Viera, who continued to regard her with an infuriatingly amused expression.

“Tell me, little cat,”

Asenshi spoke softly, crossing her arms and leaning forward with a hint of genuine curiosity now.

“Why exactly does someone who claims to be this mythical Warrior of Light come seeking me? Surely you’ve faced greater challenges than a surly mage?”

Jade sighed deeply, gathering her composure as best she could.

“I might’ve survived worse…”

she began quietly, glancing around to make sure no prying ears lingered too closely.

“But this… this is something entirely new.”

Asenshi raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself.

“And that would be?”

Jade hesitated briefly, carefully choosing her next words.

“My experiences have been… complicated,”

she admitted slowly, eyes clouding over slightly as memories surfaced unbidden.

“After… during our venture into the Garlean capital, I ended up seeking out how to become a Reaper to protect those I loved. The cost was immense as you can imagine; both physically and spiritually. Not my finest moment.”

“A Reaper?”

Asenshi repeated, her voice softening slightly with intrigue.

“You dabbled with voidsent? Bold, or perhaps utterly foolish.”

Jade shook her head slightly, a rueful smile flickering across her lips. Asenshi quickly, briefly scouted around her, expression frustrated with concentration. She quickly grabbed Jade’s wrist and pulled her along, all without a word. Asenshi’s unnatural strength and habit of grabbing consistently caught Jade off her guard.

She dragged Jade to a quiet spot away from the busy hilltop of Kadjaya’s Footsteps before finally letting go. Jade stared at and gently caressed her left wrist, it was bright red with Asenshi’s grip marks.

“Carry on, little cat.”

Jade looked up, as if she was about to tear up from the pain. Asenshi, in a furrowed expression, raised an eyebrow, hinting Jade to carry on.

“Oh… uh… Both, in hindsight. More foolish than bold though. My pact changed me, permanently. I mean I watched my hair lose its colour, my eyes their hue. The very essence of who I was felt altered.”

She paused, taking a steadying breath before continuing.

“And then, when it mattered most, my voidsent nearly consumed me. It betrayed me in my most desperate hour.”

The Viera listened quietly now, genuine curiosity evident in the subtle narrowing of her emerald eyes.

“Yet, you survived,”

she murmured thoughtfully.

“Few ever escape the grasp of a voidsent pact gone awry.”

“It’s hard to recall, but apparently it was due to a pretty strong will, and a lot of Dynamis as well. At least that’s what Y’shtola thinks saved me.”

Jade explained, her voice steady but heavy with the weight of remembrance.

“But I’ll never forget the moment I obliterated the voidsent, even now its energies linger within me. I can feel it, in my soul. Y’shtola believes it’s strengthening my affinity for black magic. But right now I lack proper control, and a lot of knowledge. That’s why she sent me to find you. She believed if anyone could understand my condition, it was you, if you were even real to begin with.”

Asenshi stood quietly for a long moment, scrutinising Jade closely, her expression unreadable. Finally, she tilted her head slightly and sighed, the ghost of a smile returning to her lips.

“Hmm… I’ll admit it, little cat, your tale is compelling,”

She acknowledged softly.

“But tell me, why exactly do you think you deserve my guidance? To share my knowledge with someone I’ve just met? I do have reasons behind my isolation as even you’ve likely gathered.”

Jade met Asenshi’s challenging gaze steadily, determination in her eyes.

“Because I don’t seek power for its own sake, I seek mastery, understanding.

She learned forward, fists clenched, her pose triumphant and enthusiastic.

“To ensure no one else I love is harmed again.”

Asenshi held Jade’s gaze for a long, silent moment before finally, reluctantly, nodding her head, the smallest of smiles crossed her face.

“Well, little cat,”

she murmured with a sigh, though her tone carried a note of genuine interest.

“Perhaps you have intrigued me enough to consider your request.”

Jade released a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, relief flooding through her despite her lingering irritation.

“Thank you,”

Asenshi leaned her head back upwards and stretched her neck, before turning to look up the hill to the merchants and travelers partaking in the festival. With a swift gesture, she moved her index finger in a hook motion, beckoning Jade to follow.

“Come then, little cat. Let us discuss this further; somewhere less crowded, perhaps.”

“I have a name you know…”

Fin.