Ardyn Tenmyouji || Airlocked CRAU (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
burninglight) wrote2018-03-04 12:49 am
burninglight) wrote2018-03-04 12:49 am
//R5 LETTERS
[Each letter is carefully folded into thirds, with the intended recipient's full name on it.]
[Each letter is carefully folded into thirds, with the intended recipient's full name on it.]
LEONARD CHURCH
You asked me once 'If you had been anything else from the start, do you think I even would have been friends with you?'. Shouted it, really. For a time these past weeks, I thought that perhaps you were right. Yet here we are, as...whatever this is.
I am truly overjoyed, that we were able to come to some level of understanding after such a difficult start. That this Ardyn was worth something to you. After all this time, who would ever have guessed I should find my first friends in millennia in a place like this? You and the others re-lit a spark of humanity I thought forever extinguished. More than that, you reminded me what it was to feel loved and to love another in return. For that, I am ever grateful. I wish for your safety. Your happiness. I would have you by my side always, not merely as Shield but as my friend and companion.
Yet if you read these words, I fear that is simply not the path fate has allowed us.
Don't give up, Leonard. Don't let Price get to you, for you are so infinitely greater than whatever he may think. Fight alongside the others, so you can live through this and reclaim the memories you yet lack. If there should be a way to recover those that we have lost, then I will wait for you. Not expecting my Shield, but trusting in my friend. In all of you, no matter how impossible the task. Until then, I ask only this:
Live happily. Please, find something or someone to bring forth that beautiful smile; if not for yourself, then for I who truly loves you more than words can say. I will see you again, when the sunrise breaks over this long and despairing night. Until then no matter where I should go or how long we may be separate, know with no doubt that this heart pulled from endless darkness shall ever belong to you, lux vitae meae.
-Ardyn
NOCTIS LUCIS CAELUM CXIV
There's so much to say that I've no idea where to begin, or how to fit it upon a single page. So much you surely don't know of how this began, or things only I survived to tell. But I'm afraid tales of Solheim and the Astral War will die with me, for there are more important matters I need to express.
I ask not for forgiveness, even if I thought it deserved. If ever such a foolish thought crossed your mind, discard it immediately. You need not stand upon some imagined higher ground by extending a sentiment you don't feel and I don't deserve. What I do ask of you is but one thing: don't forget me. Do not forget that a healer who wished only for the safety of others once existed, do not forget the monster screaming vengeance at gods who chose not to listen, and do not forget whatever amalgamation of them may be writing these words now.
Coming from me, this must mean less than nothing. But after all you've accomplished and all you became beneath the weight of that which should have been finished before it began--you're everything I failed to be, carrying everything you should never have been forced to bear. And I am so, so proud to know our line ended in someone far better than those who began it. Better than Izunia, and better than whoever I would have been. The world could scarce have had a better savior, as could I. Thank you--for everything.
Junpei, Leonard, Nari, everyone--look after them in my place, and see yourself survive to the end. Live, Your Majesty. Defy the fate you were handed long before you were born. If you accept but a single apology I make, then believe that I am sorry for again leaving salvation in your hands.
Should this all be for naught then someday, if I at last find ascension of my own, our paths will cross again.
Until then--I will await you one last time.
-Ardyn Lucis Caelum
TOUKO FUKAWA
I told you that Noctis was right; that the name 'Lucis Caelum' has ever been tied with suffering and sacrifice. One must burn to light the flame which gives hope in the deepest night. It is not a fate I would wish upon you who already carries so much.
You are so much more than you believe. I know you have the spark of resolve within yourself, and the strength to light it. No matter how unlikely I am certain you will find my words, I hope you understand their sentiment. For if the name of Lucis Caelum is one you wish to mark you as family even knowing its weight, I would have given it to you gladly. I still would, should that be the path you choose. You are as close to me as I expect family should be; just the same as Junpei, Yuuri, and the others.
But I want you to know the truth of it, hoping it will bring you solace as you read these words. For there was one thing I left out when we spoke of the Astrals so long ago. Shiva is patron goddess of death to the kingdom of Lucis, and it is because of that a true Lucian does not fear their mortality. For its herald comes gentle as snow, her chill with a grace and welcoming smile to gently extinguish the waning embers of mortal lives as they dwindle from the bright flames they once were.
Wherever I may have gone since writing these words, know that I was not afraid. And neither should you be. For if one fears not death, then what else is left to be frightened of? Yet that does not mean one should rush to it recklessly. I want you to burn brighter and longer than any other flame. Live, and in living show this world--show all who defy you that Touko Lucis Caelum is one possessing strength and courage never to be trifled with.
I need a favor from you, my dear. Will you continue working on Jane's robot in my place? I've left written instructions on the next page for how to remove the rust--you'll need Nari's help for an electrical current. From there you are the only one I trust to finish what I've started with it, clever as you are.
Burn brightly, Touko. Have hope enough to melt even the Frostbearer's ice and ward her touch from you for a bit longer.
-Ardyn
JANE CROCKER OF NOHR
I must start this off by asking your forgiveness. If you should read these words, I was not able to finish work on your companion. I've left it to Touko and Nari; please give them all the help you'd have given me. Thank you for trusting me with him, and giving me some kind of purpose in all of this.
You have been a wonderful friend to one who only barely remembers what friendship must be like. I can scarcely even commit to words how I valued your company and kindness, not to mention your charming readiness to cause just a bit of trouble at the slightest suggestion. I hope you find the resilience to share those qualities with those who need it, as I did. And that you seek their support in turn should you risk collapse. Look after Xander--I may not like him, but he's terribly hopeless. I think he needs your guidance and companionship.
Find the person you wish to be and never let go of her again. Promise me that, Jane. For I believe you can do that, and in turn can believe I could have as well.
-Ardyn
JUNPEI TENMYOUJI
I think I understand now, even if I do not remember. You and I are--it sounds a cruel insult to say 'similar', and yet I can see the faintest echoes of myself when I look at you. Of all people, I understand how easy it is to allow shreds of hope to turn to bitterness as paper curls and withers in flame. Don't follow the path I did. Even if it should hurt, no matter how much easier spite and rage seem, do not allow yourself to give in. You can be so much more than that, I have faith in you. Which is not something I ever expected to say about anyone.
I've no memory of taking this name, and I don't truly remember what kind of person 'Ardyn Tenmyouji' is. But I shall ever be grateful that you and the others were
hismy Glaives. Yet more so that you are my family. I hope that I became someone worth that.Even though I never had children of my own--if I were ever to have had a son, I would doubtless have wanted him to be like you. This family is not one I would have exchanged for anything in any world, and I love all of you with whatever heart I may have.
Never doubt that I was fortunate to know you. Until this ordeal should see resolution--until the day when we can live as a family, I shall give Yuuri your best wishes and look after her. You needn't worry for that.
-Ardyn Tenmyouji
PYRRHA NIKOS
Pyrrha, I worry sometimes that perhaps you bear something far heavier than you can carry alone. Strong as you seem, I would ask you the same as I request of all the others; allow yourself to rely on our friends even as you guard them in turn.
I'm sorry--if this letter reaches you, I fear circumstances have worsened to a near breaking point. But I know this is not the end for any of you.
They're hoping all of you will give up and cease to resist. No matter how difficult, you can't allow that to happen. It will be difficult; bend if you must, but do not break. I trust you to have the ability to do that, and to help guide Noctis and the others when they should falter.
Stay strong, Pyrrha. And when you no longer can, allow others to stand strong in your place. You need not do this alone; none of you do.
-Ardyn
NARI NISHITANI
If you're reading this, I'll spare you the usual cliche that ends that sentence and instead be relieved your trust was not broken. I understand how it hurts, to be turned on by those who you call family. But I know that however things ended for me, I would not have raised a hand to a single one of you.
It meant everything in the world to see you and the others not have an instant of distrust for me. My brother, my best friend, and kingdom all turned on me to see me executed for doing the only thing I could to help them--so I was afraid. Afraid all of you would do the same and presume me a terrible monster when I again needed even one person to stand at my side.
I do not wish to see your trust end in betrayal as mine once did.
You're a truly spectacular person, Nari. I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble, medical and otherwise. Touko may ask you for help with Jane's robot again--will you give her your assistance as a favor to me if nothing else? Placing hope in the one weapon we may potentially have is all I can do for you now.
Thank you for more than I can even begin to commit to words. Your kindness, your companionship, and above all else for being my friend. Wherever you go, whatever happens from here, I believe that you will be able to do and become whatever you may wish no matter the difficulty.
-Ardyn
MAX CAULFIELD
I wish to offer my apologies--I feel I may have failed to get to know you as well as I wished to, so my words to you may seem lacking. I would have loved to have a chance to see your skill with photography, but regretfully it seems there was too little time. So I'd like you to take that digital camera. There's not much space left, but whatever remains is yours to use as you see fit.
If you find the means to do so, will you make backup copies of the pictures it holds? I would wish you and the others to have the ability to know there was a time better than this, even though we're not able to fully grasp it. All of you need a reminder that we were once happy, perhaps more so than we knew ourselves capable. I see no better way to record such moments in time than a skill such as yours, and I hope it should make you just as happy to do so.
-Ardyn
HEART OF CAELDONIA
I know not how to articulate how grateful I am to have known you, and also do I fail to put into words my regret at knowing I've caused you to feel the pain of loss once again. I wish this could have been brought to an end once we left the simulation, but the fact I felt compelled to write these messages merely proves my own doubt in our camaraderie. Perhaps that's simply another thing to regret; that part of me still expects betrayal even after all of you so readily stood with me when I needed it most.
Thank you for listening to the miserable past of an ancient healer. I truly did believe what I said; that Medic must have found peace in the end. I hope that should bring you peace of your own, somehow.
I need a favor from you, Heart. If I'm no longer there, please make sure Price doesn't hurt Leonard, whether mentally or physically. Or any of you, but him in particular. The rest of you may need the doctor alive, but if his danger outweighs his value I'm trusting you to put an end to him.
You're vastly more human than most mortals I've had the displeasure of encountering these long ages. Never let anyone tell you otherwise; not Price or any other fool stupid enough to think you any less than them. Believe that as wholeheartedly and ardently as I do, and if you can remind Leonard on occasion I will be ever in your debt.
If Price starts trouble with you personally, I'm giving you written permission to break his godsdamned legs. Make sure Max has a good angle to get pictures, too.
-Ardyn Lucis Caelum Tenmyouji Wakasa Church of Caeldonia
ARIANNA WAKASA OF CAELDONIA
Do not despair because things are not as they once were, Arianna. None of us truly are; our experiences shape us and create a path to the future from the pain and joy of the past. You need not be leader, and neither do any of the others.
Work together with them; they need support from one another, not merely a single person directing them. Use the camaraderie and friendship forged these past weeks and in our memories as armor to protect all of you, and a weapon to strike back at those who would threaten it.
Worry not for Clarith and Yuuri--I will be sure they remain as safe as they can until we are all once more reunited. Focus on those who still live. Allow them to help you not to break, for it is you who needs the support until you can once more stand on your own.
You can do this, Arianna. I know you can.
-Ardyn
CHOROMATSU MATSUNO
I truly do envy both you and your brothers. Infuriated as you tend to sound when speaking of them, the clear worry you bear now only serves to reinforce that you must care deeply for one another.
Truthfully, I look at you and wonder if ever my own twin and I were like that. If Izunia Lucis Caelum ever mourned my loss, or remembered better times that I have long since forgotten myself. But that's far beside the point I wish to make here.
I want you to know that we're going to get them back. Your brothers, Takumi, Rhys, Angel, Queenie, Yuuri--I swear this isn't the end. I trust every last one of you to have the strength to persevere even without me. Yes, even you. I know you must feel painfully out of your depth, with how ordinary your world has so far sounded next to all the others of which I'm aware. But that has no bearing on you, least of all when all of us are on such a similar mortal level. You've gotten this far alongside all of us, and I should think that proof enough of your ability to stand by the rest of us even through all of this.
I understand your fears and uncertainty. Even if I can not comprehend your worry for your brothers, I know you will see them again no matter what it takes. Trust in the others if not in yourself; things will work out somehow.
-Ardyn
YURIKA MISUMARU
I'm grateful that your cheerful demeanor has yet to truly give out, Yurika. I hope that it doesn't; it's a good thing to hold to in times like this. Look after the others as best you can. Be as lighthearted as you're able to if they can not, but do not despair should it become difficult. No one can truly remain wholeheartedly cheerful under such pressure, but the strength to try is a wonderful and admirable thing.
And please don't burn down the kitchen.
-Ardyn
XANDER
I've not forgiven you. I'm still quite furious.
I suppose I remain a person to whom grudges and anger come too naturally.
But I feel I should make the effort to understand your reasoning, or at best meet you halfway with that I can not comprehend. I can hardly say that Choromatsu's love for his siblings is admirable while condemning yours.
I do wonder what sort of person the Ardyn in your memories was, without the stain of betrayal and pain upon his impression of you. And in turn I wonder if that Xander was a person I could have liked, when I look at you and struggle not to see the rigid and unflinching Founder King who replaced me.
For Jane's sake, I stayed my hand and spared you several broken bones. For that reason as well as for whoever that Ardyn and that Xander were, I leave you with this:
Survive. If you die and cause her such pain again, that is what I will truly never be able to forgive.
-His Royal Majesty Ardyn Tenmyouji I
DR. AIDEN PRICE
[Written in red pen and underlined sharply:]
This isn't over.
SIS
I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to get to know you a bit better. Thank you for your help, and if you could please continue to extend that aid to the others in my absence, I will be truly grateful. Whenever we should have freedom to leave this place, I have no doubt we shall see you brought with us so that you need never be left alone again.
-Your best friend, Ardyn