The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "The Ancient City" by Masayoshi Soken (Final Fantasy XIV OST) - available in Spotify or Youtube]

"That was one heck of a fight," Selena said under her breath.

"It sure was," agreed the others.

Flying back and forth, dashing, casting skills one after another, indeed, it was all too exhausting for everyone—especially when they had to do it for several hours non-stop. Just add a few more hours, and it would have been a day already—one Earth day.

To help everyone relax, the Guardians who didn't join the fight came out of Elliot's sword and prepared a meal and a bed for them to sleep in. The Guardians who joined the fight need only to return to their crystals in Elliot's Zweihander to get their rest, so they all went back except for Caligo, who didn't go until he received words of praises from his master. Elliot humored and praised him for the job well done, much to his delight.

While everyone rested, Ducis strengthened the barrier of Caligo's shrine, and Rania created another clone to fix the fissures around the crystal obelisk. Once again, the cracks began to close and fix themselves little by little. As they sat together having a meal, the whole team planned out how they should go with the next shrines.

"From the last shrine, we can confirm that the monsters in the shrines are truly targeting the owner of the shrine for whatever reason," Elliot started. "Rania noticed the black smoke again, but it didn't link to anyone since we didn't bring Caligo with us at the start."

"In that case, we can't bring the shrine owners to their shrine, right?" Luna asked.

"Yes, that's right," Elliot nodded. "We have twelve Guardians in total, two humans, and three Magi—a total of seventeen. Considering the skills each one has, the directions of the shrines, and who owns them, we need to split ourselves so we can subdue each shrine as fast as we can."

"I agree," Clavis said, "We need the highest skilled on different teams in terms of spiritual energy, same with holy energy, then balance out the Guardians based on their specialties."

"We can also consider the elemental weaknesses of the monsters," Rania added. "I noticed that we're fighting a monster version of the Guardian's Beast forms, so maybe those with opposing elements can go to each other's shrines."

"You're right. That can work."

"Then we should divide the Guardians like these…."

"And then, one human each team?"

"Yeah."

"We should separate Rania and Illuminaire since they have the highest amount of holy energy."

"Illuminaire, do you think you can do that barrier Rania does? Just in case the monsters try to change tactic and go for other Guardians," Elliot asked.

"… I am unsure if it will be the same, but I can try, my King."

"Let's practice once we're done resting," Rania seconded.

"Alright."

"How about Rania's clones?" Luna asked.

"Maybe she can create clones ahead of time that will go with us," Ducis answered. "That way, those clones can cast those special barriers as well."

"I see," Illuminaire nodded, "That way, I won't need to learn the skill and save us some time."

"Yeah."

"Do you think it's safe, though? Splitting ourselves? Caligo's shrine proved to be much harder than Fauna's. What if the next shrines contain double or triple the danger?"

"We have to take the risk," Elliot answered. "If not, we may lack time. I'm allotting at least five days for Vindicta's shrine since, for sure, she will be the hardest one to fight. But as for the others, we can only spend a day or two, considering the travel time as well."

Illuminaire sighed as she clenched her chest. "That's… true."

Feeling her worry creeping in, Rania held her hand and smiled at her.

"Don't worry. We can do this! The Supreme is with us, and He won't bring us here if we can't. If the battle is too hard, then He'll join us and send His angels."

"Huh? Angels?" Illuminaire looked bewildered. Chuckling, she continued, "But the angels haven't appeared for thousands of years."

"Oh, they did!" Luna butted in. "Not so long ago, in fact. During the tri—oops! I'm not supposed to share the full details, but yeah, they appeared and helped us before. Rania summoned them."

Smiling, she replied, "I see… It's no wonder since she's the Chosen Maiden."

"I wouldn't say I summoned them—I simply asked for help."

"Angels? Like REAL angels?" Selena's eyes twinkled. "Woah! I would love to see that someday."

"I'm sure you will."

And so the women ended up chatting amongst themselves while Elliot, Clavis, and Ducis finished up making the list of teams.

"Okay. I think we're almost done," Clavis nodded. "Just one last position—Rania seemed to have the most holy energy, followed by my sister and me. Since the two of us are the most skilled in magic, maybe I can take Rania, and you can go with Illuminaire to balance it out. What do you think?"

Elliot flinched at his words.

"You mean… I'll be separated from Rania?" he asked as his hands slightly trembled at the thought.

He had never been separated from her—except during the Third Gate's trial in Caligo's realm—but that was just for a few moments. Being in a different team with Rania would mean separating for several days. He couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like without her. In fact, the thought never crossed his mind. Would he panic? Worry more? Be distracted? Feel hopeless? He had always been able to survive this far only because Rania kept on supporting and strengthening his resolve, especially on moments when he felt doubtful, scared, worried, or anything negative. Was he ready to separate from her? The answer was simple… No—he couldn't possibly survive without her.

Before the words came out of his mouth, Elliot shook his head profusely.

"I, ahm… I'm sorry, but I don't think I can," he said in a very soft voice.

Ducis, who noticed his hesitation and aching heart, patted his back.

"Well, it seems like you need to learn my Absolute Barrier, master."

"Huh? Why?"

"I'll go with Clavis' team and swap with Amare. Then, you can stay with Rania. That should keep the balance."

"But—"

"It's alright. It's best we do it this way."

"… Thank you."

"That's settled then," Clavis said. "Let's tell everyone about it."

And with that, the team split into two: Team Elliot consisting of Rania, Lunaflora, Eres, Bruma, Bronte, Fauna and Amare; and Team Clavis, with Selena, Illuminaire, Ducis, Terra, Saburra, Ventus, Aqua, and Caligo.

Everyone agreed with the division, and after a few hours of rest, they went on their way towards the next shrines—Team Elliot to the Shrine of Terra and Team Clavis to the Shrine of Ignis.

Unbeknownst to them, a small crack started to form in the holy crystal trapping Vindicta.. And from the crack oozed out a darker, more concentrated miasma.