Her heavily wrinkled face was contorted into a collapsed frown. A short and stubby ball of angry bees wearing a human skin suit.
That was Matoya, my favorite character in XIV hands down. She was my spirit animal in every way that was possible. Her long and oddly well-grown bundle of dark gray hair stayed heavy and firmly stuck in place as if it were glued together. Not a single strand was out of place.
Her staff, an ancient and twisting tree thats top had morphed into a terrible and creepy claw, lightly tapped the warm rounded stone floors as Matoya shuffled around her laboratory, gathering who knew what.
A frog in a wizard's hat stood to the side, next to a stack of books that looked to be supporting the ceiling. He was silent, but I knew he could speak. Saro Roggo. A frog that Matoya had found and granted intelligence so it could make her tea seven times a day. A hellish existence that could end at the cost of his intellect. A fear that makes Saro serve faithfully and without question.
The nature of Matoya's magic reminded me a lot of Mickey Mouse. Animated brooms, talking frogs, purple flowing robes and massive wizard hats.
As for me, well-
"Master Matoya... Are the restraints truly necessary?"
"Yes."
She didn't explain further and I didn't want to work her nerves. What if I became Waro Woggo? I was strapped down to a table with thick leather bands that were on tight, but didn't dig into my skin. Whatever was going on, it wasn't in the games, which was a good thing I supposed.
"Master Matoya, have you heard of the Blue Mage vocation?"
"Yes."
"Do you think I could learn it?"
"If you wanted to turn your soul into a fine powder, be my guest."
If I read in between the lines, then the actual takeaway was that I would have to emulate the Blue Mages's techniques just as I had emulated every other class I knew.
The issue seemed to be that whatever the Blue Mage did to steal monster abilities, it drew on the soul in some way.
"Dynamis does not interact with the soul, brat. Don't bother."
Whatever Master Matoya said was the truth and I refused to think otherwise.
Apparently finding what she needed, the elder walked over to me.
"Breathe deep, and think less. You'll be quieter that way."
"How dee-"
Puff
"HICK-COUGH"
Master Matoya had blown some dust into my face and it took me by surprise. It didn't choke my breath though. How strange.
"What was that?"
Master Matoya didn't reply, instead, she simply stood, waiting on something. Was I going to transform into some kind of eldritch horror? How strange.
"What was that?... Huh?"
Master Matoya didn't reply, instead, she something was wrong. Was I going to transform into my words were a mess. It was as if my mind had started reflecting in on itself.
Hold it back.
"What was that?... Huh?"
Master Matoya I couldn't keep my mind focused. My consciousness was sharpened, but my words were a mess. It was reflecting in on itself, wasn't it? How strange. Hold it back. What was the point?... Huh?
The eldritch horror was sharpened. But my words were a mess. It was as if my mind had did it have something to do with Dynamis? But what was I supposed to transform into some kind of eldritch horror? How strange.
---
Dynamis was purely theoretical, and to be honest, it was far outside of Matoya's field of study. She was specialized in Aetherology, however it didn't take long for her to remember why Louisoix wanted to send her this boy. Perhaps she was the only mage still alive that could engage with the topic of Dynamis reasonably.
From what little research existed on the subject, Matoya understood that it could not coexist with Aether. It wasn't a dynamic such as Astral and Umbral polarities. Aether and Dynamis were not polar opposites, rather it was more akin to oil and water. The two substances refused to mix, no matter how compressed their area was. As a result, Aether, the energy that granted life and infused matter, was plentiful. If Dynamis actually existed, then it was likely not on the star. It could've been in space, or the fabric between dimensions. Who could truly say?
Matoya watched as the boy breathed in Aether and then spit it right back out. His body was devoid of it, which was technically impossible. Whatever it was that Matoya could perceive being breathed out by the boy, it absolutely was not Aether. It could've been possible that he wasn't breathing in Aether either.
Louisoix assumed that the boy's Aetherpool was empty and E-Sumi-Yan seemed to agree, but Matoya could see more. The quantity of Aether in the room did not truly change. It was pushed around a bit, but that was all.
'...How are you alive?'
It wasn't just his Aetherpool. Winter's entire body was absent of Aether. He was like a corpse or some shambling result of necromancy, but his heart continued to beat. His brain seemingly worked. The boy drew breath slowly and steadily.
Aether was the source of life. Without Aether, one would die. It was simple. Even ghosts and spiritual beings were composed of minimal amounts of Aether.
If Winter was an undead, he was unlike anything she had ever seen or heard of.
'Then...'
Matoya tilted her wide-brimmed hat slightly.
'What if he draws breath by way of Dynamis? A Dynamispool rather than an Aetherpool?'
It was the most plausible explanation she had at the moment, so she used it as a hypothesis.
If Winter was operating on that theoretical energy, then he was doing it unconsciously. Aether was just the glamour that he used to create his... What did E-Sumi-Yan call it? A domain?
Perhaps other Sharlayans would scoff at the notion, but it didn't sound too absurd in Matoya's head. Then there was the issue of the Rune Knight, which Matoya found to be far more insignificant than the discovery of a real and living user of Dynamis, however, it was what she had promised to teach.
And it wasn't as if Winter looked to be a useless student. He had at some point already embodied Matoya's only true principle.
'Open eyes and open heart.'
Don't just see the world for what it is, but to embrace it. It was something that her pupil hadn't learned by time she left. Her eyes were open, but her heart was closed. The Archon glanced down at the boy on the table. Despite being in a deep trance, he still had a small smile on his face.
From the moment he showed up in front of her, an overly excited smile that he desperately failed to suppress painting his features, Matoya could see within him an unbearably bright sun.
'Why was he named Winter and not Summer? He doesn't seem very glum, cold, nor miserable to me...'
Matoya didn't realize it right away, but this new mystery had thoroughly caught her attention. That bastard Louisoix knew her too well.
---
Matoya continued to run tests on me until nightfall where she then assigned me to a room within the cave system. It was furnished with wooden floors and polished stone walls. A lit candlestick that didn't seem to melt gave the room a homelike character.
"Wow! Did you design this yourself? It's so pretty~"
"Hm."
Matoya, ever the taskmaster, had her full attention on inspecting the Hearthstone in her hand. She seemed able to see between the layers of Runes that I had inscribed. A talent that I did not have. I already explained that I went home every other day and the method that I used to get around.
"Master, would you happen to know how I can trade with the Moogles above us, safely?"
"... How did you know about them?"
"My sweetheart told me about King Mog and the Moogles who came to the Twelveswood-"
"Then how does she know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Can she perceive the Moogles?"
"Of course, she's a Padjal."
"...Nevermind."
Unlike the Warrior of Light, I couldn't use Teleport. My only method of travel was Warping. An inherently limited technique with questionable results. I made a note to myself to bring even more of my experiments back.
"You can make a trade through mail."
"... I'm sorry?"
"The mail, brat."
Master Matoya tilted the Hearthstone forward, looking along its curve.
"Learn Mooglespeak, calculate the coordinates, and write a letter."
"..."
'A letter? The Moogles Mail... Did they deliver up there?! THOSE BASTARDS...!'
I almost let it slip that I did actually have a way of translating Mooglespeak. My Minfilia's Echo in addition to my Ysayle's Echo, but one of my women still couldn't easily meet me. Whatever that crazy bitch was doing in Falcon's Nest, it was sure to kick up a stir.
It felt like I made a lot of progress all of the sudden and then once more found myself stuck. Calculate coordinates? How in the hell was I going to do that? If I could pull this off, I wouldn't have to teleport! I wouldn't have to bear witness to more terrible world design either!
But damn it!
"Sigh I'll scry the location for you, brat. But first, you must tell me why you're contacting them. Those Moogles are not... simple to deal with."
What she meant by that was they were doing poorly enough to willingly summon a Primal. After the Calamity pushed them to the breaking point, those crazy bastards snapped. All the more reason to get as much glass fiber as I could as soon as possible.
"Thank you, Master~"
"Hm."
My personal god didn't take compliments well, but I knew that under those cramped wrinkles, hunched back, and salty attitude was a soft heart! I was going to shower her with all the love in the world!
"Well, I'm trying to manufacture tempered glass, but the key ingredient that I need is actually only available through contact with the Moogles, as far as I know..."
"You're an Alchemist as well?"
"I mix the occasional potion. I'm only Grade 2 at the moment however."
"Snort"
Master Matoya let out a rough breath that I couldn't translate, so I left it alone.
I began to unpack my bags, some of them being filled with duplicates of things I had back home, but I could think of no safer place in the world to store my backups. It always paid to be prepared.
"I've tried carving runes onto parchment but it couldn't handle the strain as a material."
"Hm."
I let her chew on my words as I moved some of my potions into the desk drawer. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't need to use them.
"You didn't coat your parchment, did you?"
"Coat?"
"...Are you self taught?"
"Yes, Master!"
Master Matoya put the Hearthstone down and lightly massaged her temples.
"I'm getting tea. Don't speak to me until you return."
"Yes, Master Matoya!"
My precious master eyed me warily and shuffled away, the clacking of her staff being louder than the shuffling of her slippers that hid under her thick purple robes.
---
"Wiiinwiiin!!"
"Oof!"
Y'shtola looked up from her book just in time to see Winnie arrive in the Northern Shroud.
She was here to follow the Seedseer's will and teach her how to brew tea. It wasn't long after she had arrived at Gridania's Aetheryte and began walking that 2 figures suddenly appeared in the corner of her eye.
---
The one she immediately recognized was Yda's. Her mask was severely damaged and her clothes were riddled with what looked like bullet holes. Y'shtola didn't see any severe bleeding, but grazes and scratches ran along Yda's arms and part of her cheek.
"Shtola!!"
"Quiet."
[Cure II]
Diiiiiinng-shoooosh
Y'shtola dropped everything and swung her Yew Wand. She did not know how badly her fellow Archon was hurt, but chose not to take any chances. While her magic worked, her mind wove the details together.
"Is Papalymo-"
"Fine~ Things got a bit rough, but he and the caravan retreated properly."
It was reassuring to hear that. Y'shtola didn't often get to see such a serious look on her friend's face. To use the Hearthstone and escape, the Garleans really must've pushed her hard this time. They were becoming more coordinated then.
That didn't bode well.
Limsa Lominsa and Gridania both needed more time. Ul'dah needed even more than that. What was that nematoad-looking bard doing?
"Oh oh! I forgot to introduce my new friend!"
The usual Yda whimsy suddenly reappeared as she clapped her hands in excitement and pushed forward a second person. A little red-headed Hyur girl who looked horribly sad and even somewhat terrified. Y'shtola wasn't the best with kids all things considered.
"Hello, little one."
Why was she here? Y'shtola put the details together. Yda's took damage, but the girl didn't. This girl was likely the reason Yda ended up in such a situation.
But why her?
The bigger issue was how she came through the Hearthstone which could only take one person.
The girl looked up at Y'shtola and the Archon wore her most gentle smile. It was then that Y'shtola saw a second Hearthstone in the girl's hands.
'How...?'
"What's your name?"
"..."
"Wahaha! Don't mind her, she's a bit shy!"
The little girl was unresponsive. She must've seen terrible things. Y'shtola dare not ask where her parents were.
Why did she have that? Did she know Winter? Or... Did Yda take a second stone? Why? Since when did she have such foresight?
A familiar feeling grinded on Y'shtola's nerves. Having all the pieces, but being unable to put the puzzle together.
"Shtola, do you have a change of clothes? I've seem to have left my spares behind."
"I do..."
Y'shtola eyed Yda's slimmer figure with skepticism. Although her hip size was in range, her bust was noticeably smaller than Y'shtola's.
"Hey! Don't stare!"
Yda shouted with indignation.
---
"huff Mmmnnn~ Wiiiiiiinwiiiiiin~"
"Haha, welcome back, Yda."
Though he was tackled to the ground, Winnie still held his Yda tightly. Even after they got up and walked closer, Yda still continued to hug him and deeply inhale his scent. It had been almost half a year after all.
"Y'shtola~"
"Winnie~"
Y'shtola leaned into her beloved's warm embrace and tasted his lips, indulging in his flavor and enjoying his tongue.
kiss-sluuurp-pop-kiiiiss
She could feel Winter squeezing her ass possessively as she intentionally used her thigh to stroke his thick tool through his slacks. Her nose, ever sensitive picked up a nostalgic scent that made Y'shtola smile.
"How was she doing?"
Winnie caught on with a flicker of his eyes and a deep smile.
"She's doing fantastic."
It relieved Y'shtola to hear her Master doing well. She was too shy to go visit after so long, but also worried about her well being. For as long as she's known her, Matoya could always be categorized as getting on in age, but the mage kept strolling along as if it didn't matter.
"Master~"
Yda whispered into Winter's ear. She was subtly humping his leg like a beast possessed. Winnie smiled simply with a predatory look in his eye as if he had found an unexpected meal.
"Soon."
It was going to be a mess, Y'shtola could already tell. To be fair, sex with Winter was always a messy and addictive affair, but after half a year, there was too much to catch up on.
That was something Winter learned back in Ul'dah.
For every hour of every day for almost a full sennight, they took turns with their man, getting their fill of his meat pole and getting drunk from his rich bounty of semen. Y'shtola's womb began to tingle, as if anticipating how he would mess her up today. She lightly prayed for more women to come around and lighten her burden. She was already slightly addicted to her beloved and it was killing her will to work.
bite
She bit his neck lightly in a bid to suppress her desires. The feeling of Y'shtola's fangs scraping against her mate's skin sent wild shocks through her body, wracking her mind and turning her tail numb. She wanted him to pin her down and desperately fuck her right away, but she had a conscious to tend to. What a crazy man this was.
"Hello~ I'm Winter. May I learn your name?"
Suddenly she remembered that a literal child was here and tried to pull away, only for Winnie to keep a firm hold on her, making her head buzz with lust as he continued to dig his fingers into her flesh as he pleased. Panic took hold of her and she wasn't sure how to react.
Y'shtola subtly looked out of the corner of her eye at the girl. She wasn't blushing, but her face was one of raw astonishment, not at all noticing Y'shtola's awkward behavior.
A common and justifiable reaction.
Just how many times had she caught women married and not, dropped their jaws when looking at her man? His allure was otherworldly. Alien almost. The pride that stemmed from capturing this creature had long been engraved in her bones.
"I am... Fordola...Lupis."
As expected, Winnie had an easier time getting along with children. Y'shtola couldn't get a look of acknowledgement, let alone an introduction.
"Ooh, Fordola is a pretty name."
"...! I-uh... Thank you..."
Yda was keeping a careful eye on the girl, letting Winter handle her, but still lightly bucking her hips against Winter's body. Y'shtola could feel the small pushes transmitting through her beloved. It was not at all helping her desire decrease. She had become a dirty woman in no time at all.
"So Fordola, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Eh?"
It's not an oft asked question for youth. Y'shtola couldn't recall ever being asked what she wanted to be. She just was. It was the way life tended to flow. The Archon let out an amused sigh, the way that Winnie thought, the way his mind worked, it was even more attractive than his appearance was to her. And that was truly saying something. He was a bit of a rebel in that way. It was that mind that founded a new breed of magicks and then a new system to harness and channel Aether. What else would he do?
"...I want to be strong."
"How strong?"
"Strong enough to make those...those...meanies apologize!"
Her vocabulary wasn't able to keep up with her emotions. Y'shtola assumed that the meanies in question were the Garleans.
"Who are the meanies? The Garleans, or the Ala Mhigans?"
'Hm?'
"Them! The Ala Mhigans! They killed my Papa!"
A visage of complete and utter rage filled the girl's face. Such a dark anger did not belong in the eyes of a child. Winnie let go of her and Yda, kneeling in front of the little girl and keeping her on eye level. The rage started to fade from her face, overtaken with a hollow and forlorn sadness that tugged at Y'shtola's heart.
Winnie paused slightly, before putting his hand on the little girl's head. Her eyes, a deep and sticky pool of frenzy, slowly cooled into a lesser pout instead. Did he cast something? Y'shtola didn't think so, but who could possibly know with how strange her man's magicks were?
Winter's beautiful eyes continued to gaze at Fordola, analytical and thoughtful. Nothing was more enticing than the sight of her man at work, so to help him, Y'shtola grabbed the wandering Yda and pulled her aside to ask more about their new guest. That darkness in her eyes was abnormal, and though she believed Winter could handle it, Y'shtola didn't want him to be caught off guard. Just who was this little girl? What was that in her eyes? What in the hells happened on that mission?