Hells Open, Heavens Weep

Sequel to 'Eyes Ever Heavensward.' Their adventure in Ishgard was over, as well as the end to the Dragonsong War. But fate won't let them rest yet. A new adventure is over the horizon, one that promises to bring just as much, if not even more bloodshed than over the fields of ice. Their last battle was about ending a war… this next one is all about liberation!

This is the sequel to my story: Eyes Ever Heavensward. If you haven't read it yet, you might want to before reading this.

Do not read if you are playing Final Fantasy 14: Stormblood or have plans to. I will be using my own character, Claire Faye, in the story to stand in as the Warrior of Light, but feel free to think of your own characters. Here is a list of things that will be in this story:

Major Game Spoilers for Final Fantasy 14: Heavenward and Stormblood.

Alphinaud/Warrior of Light Shipping

Minor Lyse and Hien Shipping

Many different POV of different characters

Death, Violence, etc.

I do not own any copyright, am doing this purely for entertainment…

And if there are any special requests or suggestions that you would like to see happen here, please message me and let me know. Thank you all for taking the time to read this and please let me know what you think.

Prologue: Azure Skies to Crimson Squall

Look ye where the sun doth rise,

See crimson embers, dark'ning skies.

Look ye where the sun doth fall,

See azure lost amist the squall.

Ancient Eastern Proverb, author unknown.

He was left alone in the dark halls of the palace of Ala Mhigo with his thoughts. He had been ordered here by his father to ensure that the Eorzean savages were reminded of who their superiors were.

So dull.

What a waste of time. He could not believe that he was stuck in this land with these pathetic excuses for living, sentient beings. He had been hoping that by coming here he would find himself a true challenge. But the sorrowful sight of these 'Resistance' fighters barely deserved his attention. The people hated them, surely, but the Imperial Army had done such a thorough job of breaking their spirits that all it took were the regular soldiers of his army to ensure that they were brought to heel.

He could smell oil and smoke in the air, the sounds of machines and airships being tended to throughout the palace—most likely getting ready for more fighting. He barely saw need to give any orders, instead casting any business that he couldn't be bothered with to his commanders, letting them know that should they fail to succeed, he would not hesitate to take their lives.

Cowards, the lot of them, when he saw how they shook with fear at his words.

He cared not.

He cared not for Ala Mhigo or Eorzea… not even Garlemald. The reason he fought was as simple as it was pure… for a battle where you are pushed to the brink of death and look it in the eye before cutting down your foe. To feel that sweet, blisteringly hot blood splatter on the ground like a fountain… he lived for those moments. Though it had been many years since he was last pushed to such a point… if he ever had been, of course.

The door at the end of the Hall of the Griffin suddenly opened and one of many lowly soldiers appeared before him. He watched the man approach him, watching with an air of tediousness as he rested his head against his armored hand, wondering just what this weakling had to say to him that was so important that it brought him out of his thoughts.

The soldier, whose name he couldn't even bother to remember, kept walking until he stood at the step in front of the throne and saluted.

"My lord Viceroy—our scouts have confirmed the preliminary reports," the Imperial Officer informed him. "Baelsar's Wall has fallen to the Eorzean Alliance. The hunt for Omega and the unknown eikon continues, though both yet elude us."

Of course. He did not expect them to find it so quickly. That would require competence—something that his soldiers seemed to lack. He rolled his eyes, hoping that he did not come in here to bother him by reminding him of their failure.

"My lord… their battle caused considerable damage across the region…" the soldier suggested in a rather meek voice, "should we perchance divert some of our forces from the search to undertake Necessary reconstruction work?"

He did not answer as he raised his eyebrows. He knew that the soldier could not see his face, armored that it was, but his silence could not have been clearer than if he could see him. Predictably, the solider recoiled in fear as he saluted and gasped out, "I—Forgive me, my lord! I didn't not intend—Your will be done!"

The soldier all but fled from the room, and from him, but he would let him leave this room with his life just this once. He was in a usually good mood this day and his mind back to the thought of the glorious battle he had seen before.

In midair, he had seen the divine dragon that was the living embodiment of violence… oh, he could feel the hatred that creature emanated from where he stood watching it at the top of the Royal Menagerie and it was so beautiful.

It was glorious to feel the excitement rushing through his veins at what had been happening right at his doorstep. He often spent time up on the Menagerie as he looked down at the city of lowly insects beneath him. The King of Ruin had once held rare and prized creatures there for his foreign queen to make her feel more at home. Such tedious creatures they all were. But when he learned of the fighting breaking out at the Wall, he spent his time staring up at the cocoon of light that had been held aloft in the sky in the far distance, the temporary prison that held a eikon of unimaginable strength, born from the countless lives sacrificed from one lone, desperate man's hatred for the Empire…

The thought of what such a creature would look like tantalized his mind, especially after he learned when he ordered his men to find a way to exam the sphere… only for the creature trapped inside to destroy the ship and everyone on board. Even trapped, this creature was capable of such a hateful tempest? Exquisite.

The night that it finally broke free from its cage, he was able to set his eyes on it.

He remembered how he had removed his helmet to get a clearer glimpse of how magnificent it was. A dragon, gargantuan in size, it's pure, raw hatred enough to make him feel dizzy even from the distance that he stood.

That was when the mechanical creature burst forth from nowhere. He had heard the stories about this machine, this… Omega. How it had been strong enough to seal even Bahamut in its prison in the sky. So, the Eorzean Alliance had grown desperate enough to unleash such a creation to deal with this god of dragons?

The battle that raged between them… it shook the heavens themselves and how he yearned to have been a part of it.

But as quickly as it began, it ended… the blast from the two causing countless deaths of his own men at the Wall and a towering pillar of aether spilling out and filling the sky. He had been sorely disappointed when it had cleared and he saw that the heavens were empty. He immediately called for his men, ordering them to search the land for any trace of beast or machine; letting them all know that they should search as if their lives depended on it. For if they were to come up empty, it will.

All that was left now was trying to find something to keep him entertained until he learned the fate of those two god-like beings.

There was one topic that he had been giving thought to lately… one that offered him mild curiosity…?

This land was full of savages… he wondered if he would find a beast that would be strong enough to challenge him. Would he, at long last, find a beast worthy of facing in battle?

Mayhap… there's one?

He heard the stories of this champion of the savages, this Warrior of Light, they called her. He wondered what sort of predator was she supposed to be? Was she merely a glorified sellsword who was a pitiful, whimpering creature? Or was it possible she was truly a monster who thirsted for blood? Much like him?

Either way, in all honesty, she was of little concern to him. His mind was more on the creature that had vanished after its battle with Omega. Many of his men seemed content to believe that both were simply destroyed—killed by each other's hand. He doubted that. Hatred as rich as that creature's would not be destroyed that easily.

"Unknown?" he purred at last to himself. "My spies tell me the Domans call it 'Shinryu,' and that it proved a match for Omega."

Mayhap the boring days that seemed to stretch on were coming to a close. He could not help but feel the joy that began to take root inside his already empty heart. After all, he had learned of the birth of a new eikon… his research into what he was growing fond of calling 'The Resonate' were finally reaching some interesting turns, and the promise of a possible champion possibly being worthy of his time…?

"Yes… the coming days promise to be most interesting," he purred to himself again, "Most interesting."

A smile appeared across his thin lips and he chuckled darkly to himself. His fingers began twitching, as if they too knew that a new battle would begin soon.

*Malms above the earth*

Alphinaud wasn't sure what it was, but he could hear a slight, irritating hum in his ear. He tried to ignore it so that he could continue sleeping, yet the hum was insistent. It wouldn't stop and it was quickly giving him a headache. What was going on?

It went on like this for several more long minutes, and when he couldn't ignore the sound anymore, his eyes slowly began to crack open. He had to blink several times as he felt the chill of the wind and this confused him. What was he doing outside?

Feeling dazed and confused, not entirely sure what was going on, he tried moving, only to feel the weight that was pressing against him. He looked down to see what was causing this, and he smiled when his memory came back to him. Claire Faye, the Warrior of Light was there with him, her head resting against his chest as she slept. He had one arm wrapped protectively around her while the other held her hand tightly as she slept and he remembered why he had been feeling so happy when he came to.

Alphinaud also realized what that annoying hum had been about. The linkpearl in his ear had been going and he knew that someone was trying to contact him. Reluctantly, the hand that was holding onto hers let go and he reached up to his ear to see what the trouble was.

"Yes?" he said, trying to keep his voice down so that he didn't wake Claire up.

"Finally!" said a familiar voice at the other end that he recognized immediately as Tataru. "You had us all worried sick when you went running out of here yesterday like that! Are you ok? Where have you been?"

"Yes," he reassured her with a whisper, "I'm just fine. I'm sorry if I worried you. But I had something important to do yesterday and it couldn't wait."

"Where are you?" Tataru asked again in concern. "And why are you whispering? It's hard to hear you."

"Right now I'm on a floating island somewhere near Ishgard," he answered, taking care not to tell her exactly where he was in case someone came looking. "And I simply wish to avoid waking up those who would prefer to remain asleep."

"A floating island in Ishgard?" she asked, sounding greatly surprised. "Why are you there?"

"Just came looking for something," he answered honestly. "Not to worry, I assure you that it worked out. Once again, I'm sorry for worrying you. But you may relax, I'm doing well."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about," she sighed. "Now if I can only get in contact with Claire. She still won't answer her linkpearl."

"She's fine too, don't worry," he said as he glanced down at her peaceful face with a fond smile. "I actually spoke with her last night. Her mind's been… occupied of late. That's why she hadn't been able to answer your calls."

"Really?" she asked, sounding greatly relieved. "Thank the Twelve she's ok! I've been getting really worried when she still didn't answer me. Anyway, I've been trying to contact everyone. We were asked to be on stand-by."

His eyebrows raised and his arm tightened protectively around Claire's shoulders as he suddenly felt cold inside.

"The Wall?" he asked, dreading the worst.

"Nothing about that yet," she told him before informing him of how General Raubahn was preparing one last push, and if this last attack went according to plan, they could gain full control of the Wall.

"For now, we were asked to be ready should something happen," she finished. "So I've been contacting the Scions and letting them know on what's happening. Maybe it would be for the best if you came back to the Rising Stones as soon as you can until we hear more news."

Alphinaud shut his eyes, feeling a wretched pain as he asked, "Do you need us right away?"

"Ah… well, sometime today. Alisaie was insistent that I tell everyone that," she answered back and he fought the sigh when he opened his eyes as she then added, "And if you can, contact Claire and let her know that too. And tell her that I'll be sure to get her a new linkpearl since her old one clearly isn't working so that I don't worry."

"I will," he promised, trying to keep his grimness out of his voice as the connection ended and he lowered his hand to take hold of Claire's hand once more. He knew that he should probably wake her up and tell her this—the sun would rise soon and when it did, they would have to leave—but he didn't want to leave now.

"What did she say?" said the soft voice that made him jump and he glanced down to see that she was smiling again, though her eyes remained closed.

"How long have you been awake?" he asked in amazement.

"Not long after you," she confessed as she took a deep breath and her eyes opened. "I was so comfortable that I didn't want to move though. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," he said, also very comfortable where he was and the thought of returning back to the Rising Stones was the one thing that he did not want to do at the moment. Especially since he knew that they would likely have to be parted again for a time.

But he informed her of everything Tataru said and she did not seem to be surprised at any of this. She didn't look at him, merely keeping her eyes on the small pile of ash and burnt charcoal of their fire that had burned itself out during the night. As he explained more about how Raubahn was leading the charge against the forces remaining at the Wall, he let his fingers play with her hair, the soft strands slipping easily through his fingers like silk and seemed to have a calming effect on him.

"Looks like they're expecting us back at the Rising Stones. They want us close by and ready to go in cause anything should happen," he finished grimly.

She slowly turned her head to look back up at him. She hadn't said a word the whole time that he spoke, but like how it usually did, her silence spoke volumes. She didn't want to leave any more than he did. He soon found himself staring into those eyes once again, barely noticing how the time went on too quickly and the sun was soon beginning to rise. It would not be long before it poked its head through the thick clouds beneath them and he stroked her hair as he wondered what was waiting for them next.

That was when he had an idea and chuckled at the thought, causing her to arch an eyebrow in confusion to what he found amusing.

"Want to watch the sun rise from the spire?" he asked her and she raised her head in surprise at the suggestion. He knew that she could call Kirin or one of her many other flying mounts and fly them up to the highest point of Zenith and they would be able to watch the sun rising from there.

He explained this to her and she was immediately interested in it. They both stood up, and his body was incredibly stiff and sore as he stretched and brushed the dirt and wrinkles out of his clothes. Claire soon summed Kirin to her side and she climbed onto his back gracefully as Alphinaud looked at Kirin, hoping that he remembered him and that he wouldn't be too proud to buck him off.

Kirin stamped his glittering hoof on the ground as he eyed him suspiciously and Claire petted him behind his horns as she cooed into his ear. As the majestic creature closed his eyes sleepily, she jerked her head at Alphinaud to climb on behind her while Kirin was in a good mood. He did what he was told, and Kirin allowed him to get onto his back with his master. Claire urged him into the air and wings of light burst from his back, just underneath them, and he was in the air. He wrapped his arms around Claire's waist as they went soring upwards so that he could avoid sliding off Kirin's rump.

The ride was as rough as he thought it would be, and he had a feeling that Kirin was making it extra uneven just for him. Claire could only laugh, which sounded like the sweetest melody to his ears, as she led Kirin up to Zenith. They flew over the crumbling buildings and the sparkling crystal that glinted in the low light directly below them as they began to spiral upwards.

He had to hang on even tighter at the steep climb, but soon they safely touched down at the highest point that they could go and he was relieved that they were able to dismount. He fell off rather clumsily, stumbling a little and almost falling over until Claire slid off Kirin's back, with a grace he envied, and grabbed hold of his hand to pull him back.

He was embarrasses at first, at least until he saw how amused she was. After getting a look at her smile, he couldn't help but follow suit.

It wasn't long after that when the sun rose…

As Kirin was left to his own devices, he and Claire took a seat at the very edge of the spire, their legs dangling over the edge as they stared out at the sun rising above the clouds. The sun cast an unearthly glow through the white clouds and across the land, making even a lifeless place like the Churning Mists suddenly beautiful. Especially, when the light caught the glimmer of the Zenith, casting thousands of rainbow like facets all around like twinkling diamonds.

It looked like the heavens were on fire with deep colors of gold and crimson that seemed to stretch out and covered the eastern sky. It was truly stunning and he found himself wishing that he could enjoy all sunrises like this.

The two of them leaned up against the other as they enjoyed the quiet and the beautiful colors; until at long last, the clear, blue sky was being to shine through as the sun continued its journey upwards. As the sky turned more azure, the silence between them was broken.

"Why come here?" she asked as he grinned rather bashfully at her.

"I had a dream about this once," he confessed softly. "I guess, I couldn't help myself."

She chuckled but it soon faded as she asked, "What do we tell everyone else?"

He knew that this question was coming up, but wasn't sure how he could answer it. He knew that they should tell the others but…?

"My honest opinion?" he asked her quietly and he knew that she was resting her head against his shoulder again. "I have conflicted emotions about letting others know about us. And I can only imagine how much fun my sister would be at this. But…?"

"But…?" she pressed as he looked back up at her and said, "I want people to know. I really do. If nothing else, I want to prevent some handsome adventurer from thinking he may have a chance with you."

She laughed at that as she asked, "You really fear for that?"

"I guess I'm the jealous type," he joked back blissfully before his smile faded again. "But… jesting aside, I fear that this may cause problems for you. If an enemy thought that they could get to you through me? I could never forgive myself."

She pulled away for a moment as she gazed silently at him.

"Not that I have any doubt that you would come to my rescue… as you always do, I fear of what could happen to you or anyone else," he confessed. "It's not fair."

He didn't like this at all. He hated it with a passion that they may have to keep this secret for now. He couldn't help but feel that he was acting ashamed of his feelings for her, when that wasn't true at all. But… they were Scions. Would it even be allowed for them to try and search for a relationship in such troubling times when they would surely be forced to go where they were needed most? They would surely be asked to go and help with the resistance in Ala Mhigo, meaning that they would be forced onto another battlefield, and every moment spent as a soldier in the field meant…?

His hands shook a little when looked up at her eyes, who grew sad once again and he knew that she was thinking the same thing that he was.

"We will wait, and see," he promised her. "For now, we much continue our duty to Eorzea. I know not when we will be able to have time to pursue any such relationship, but…?"

His fingers were laced together with her own as he finished, "But if you wish to try and see where this road will go…?"

"That is all that we can hope for, I suspect," she sighed grimly and he rested his head against the crook of her neck and she rested her cheek against the top of his head. It was sad, but that was all that they could do about it. They would wait until they could find a good time to inform the others about this. He wasn't sure what else they could do at the moment.

They probably would have sat up there all day as they watched the sun and the clouds that were as white as snowfall in Ishgard drift about them. But he started to feel his stomach rumbling and he was realizing just how cold it was up here. Perhaps his treacherous crying stomach was what gave him away for she suddenly spoke again, stating that maybe they should leave now.

"I know," he muttered regretfully.

He knew that they should leave, but they did not bother to hurry as they eventually stood up and stood at arms length from each other.

"I will not lie," he told her, "I am… new to a relationship."

She nodded back to him, and he knew that this was dangerously new territory for her as well… though that surprised him slightly.

"Come now," he said, not sure if she was just saying that or if it was true, "One such as you? Never has anyone ever sought you out?"

She chuckled and shook her head. He looked at her sadly as he reached up and felt her cheek, which was suddenly warm. She did not give herself enough credit.

"I suppose I should say that I'm sorry about that, but… I'm not," he couldn't help but tell her. "I can't begin to imagine how it would feel to know that someone else had captured your attention before I understood my own feelings."

She tilted her head at that, silently enjoying his words. That was when he had a sudden thought and he had to ask, though he suspected that he knew the answer.

"Ser Aymeric, for one, seems fond of you…?" he began.

She blinked in surprise before she actually started to laugh even long before he finished the question.

"You believe that there was something happening me and Ser Aymeric?" she asked him, having calmed down, tears of laughter in her eyes once she found her voice.

"Just that when I heard about the private dinner he requested," Alphinaud reminded her, unable to stop the smile on his own mouth.

"Alphinaud," she said shaking her head as she cupped his face with her hands and he found himself looking at her joyful face and his heart skipped a beat. "I confess, the one who captures the Lord Commander's attention will be a lucky one indeed. But I hold no such feelings for him in that way."

Oh, he knew that of course, but to hear her confirm it was enough to put his worries to end.

"I promise, I'll stop being jealous. It's very unbecoming of me, I suppose," he chuckled. "Forgive me for having you humor me. But if nothing else, I am glad to see you laugh again."

They laughed again together, and continued until laughter down and he took her hands in his own, knowing that there was no point to delay it any longer.

"I shall join you all soon enough," she told him and he nodded, understanding that she still had things to do before returning to the Rising Stones. They would hopefully find time to discuss things anon. She stayed just long enough for them to share one last brief kiss that made him feel a sensation of unbridled joy.

"Be careful out there," he told her as she grinned back, her fingers tracing delicate circles on his long ears.

She grinned before pulling away, calling Kirin back to her side and leaving him alone at the top of the spire. He watched as the unearthly glow she carried with her seemed to dull the further she flew from him, until she was but a tiny speck in the distance.

He teleported to Mor Dhona alone, but his heart was filled with joy that he was almost dancing through the front doors. Too bad that would be the last time that the two of them would get a moment alone like that again.

(How was that for a prologue? I can't say when the next chapter will be going out, but this is a basic idea of what you can be expecting. I hope you're looking forward to it and that you're enjoying Stormblood.)