It was hurting. Just seeing Thancred with all those girls made her sad and angry. Yda had just been laughing as Thancred tried to calm down the girls who where fighting over him at the Rising Stones. When seeing that scene, Cleo walked out with tears in her eyes.
Why did it have to hurt like this? Why did she fell in love with him? Would it even be worth it to tell Thancred how she felt about him? She wouldn't be treated differently by him since she was a chiefdaughter. He would propably just reject her, she was sure of it.
Cleo sunk down and hid her face in her knees. The sun was just about to set behind the Crystal Tower. A figure snuck up behind Cleo, stepping carefully closer toward her. Just as he was about to tap at her shoulder, Cleo turned her head around with tears down her face.
"What happened?" the figure asked Cleo, quickly realizing that she wasn't in the mood for jokes.
***
The Lightwarden, Storge had finally been slain thanks to Ryne's new abilities. The light went over to Cleo, but this time Cleo winced in pain. It felt like something was cracking inside her belly.
"Mama!?" Ryne said and rushed to her. She looked worried at her.
"Are you all right?"
"My tummy hurts a bit!" Cleo admitted.
"We should head back to the Crystarium," Esper said worried. Krohman looked worried at Esper, she did her best to hide that she was exhausted. Once they reached outside Malikah's Well, they all admired the night sky.
"If only Tesleen could've seen it," Alisaie said with a sad voice. Krohman patted her shoulder. Y'shtola looked around.
"Is this not the moment Emet-Selch usually chooses to descend upon us?" Y'shtola asked curious.
"Whatever will we do without his feigned praise and backhanded compliments?"
"He's propably sleeping," Skan said resting his arms behind his head.
They looked up once they hear the sounds of airships flying over them. Obviously back to Kholusia.
***
Cleo sighed while resting on the bed back at the Crystarium. She felt stuffed as they all had this one delicious dinner made by Krohman. Being able to relax again with Thancred and the others... it felt great. Just like back home. She tried to relax, but she couldn't. She still couldn't shake of that feeling like something was cracking inside her.
According to both Ryne and Y'shtola, the light inside of her was getting monstrous. How could this be?
I thought that I managed to channel the aether well. Cleo thought looking at her daggers tied to her hip. Even tough she had changed her job as a black mage, she had brought her daggers along with her just in case.
Her hands started to shake. Was she scared? Angry? She didn't know what to feel. Cleo gasped as she felt the pain again, this time across her chest. It felt like her skin was cracking up. Her sight started to blurry, almost turning white.
Just as Cleo cried out, both Ardbert and Nezha appeared.
"By the kami! What's happening?" Nezha cried.
"Are you all right?" Ardbert asked as both he and Nezha rushed over to Cleo. They both tried to calm her down, trying to place one each hand at Cleo's shoulders. A glow came from the touch. There was a warmth feeling coming through Cleo's body. She panted as the pain ended and stared at Ardbert and Nezha.
"What just happened?" Ardbert asked looking over his body, then Nezha and Cleo.
"Mama?!" Ryne cried and stood by the door. Both Ardbert and Nezha stared at Ryne approaching Cleo.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"I... I was in pain for a moment," Cleo said. This was not the time for a false bravado, Y'shtola would've said.
"But it's over now."
Ryne shook her head.
"It's the light, isn't it?" she said looking worried at Cleo.
"I don't know what I can do to... get rid of the light. I think I can suppress it somehow."
Cleo patted Ryne's head.
"So Minfilia is gone then." Ardbert said with a sad look in his eyes. Nezha looked down as well.
"Guess we'll never know why we've to wander around like this," Nezha said.
***
The Crystal Exarch smiled while watching the family of three togheter. Still getting used to her new powers, Ryne was training hard along with Thancred and Krohman. Cleo was just sitting and resting while watching them, cheering them on.
This is what you wished for my friend! the Exarch thought while smiling. Being with her true love, and even having a family, starting with Ryne.
The quest would soon be at an end and the eight umbral calamity would be none.