Morning broke over Ul'dah with the blaze of a desert sun. The sandstone walls glowed gold, and the hum of merchants already filled the air. Chocobos squawked in the stables, carts rumbled toward the gates, and adventurers streamed through the streets with armor polished and weapons at their backs. It was a city alive, bustling, determined to begin the day.
But inside the quiet corner of the inn, five travelers sat together at a single wooden table, their breakfast mostly untouched. The air between them wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either. It carried the sharp edge of change, like the silence before a blade meets the whetstone.
Zack leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes flicking between his companions. His usual grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, but even he wasn't immune to the tension. "So… today's the day, huh?"
Aerith's hands folded around her cup of tea. She nodded gently, but her gaze lingered on each of them in turn, as though committing their faces to memory. "Sirius said this is the only way. If we want to be strong enough for what's coming, we can't just rely on staying together."
Galuf let out a booming sigh, though it ended with a chuckle. "Well, lass, he's not wrong. Iron sharpens iron, but sometimes the blade needs a different grindstone. Hells, maybe I'll even learn to throw a proper punch again." He flexed his hand, smirking. "Been too long since I cracked knuckles in a real training hall."
Noctis stared at the trinket resting on the table before him. Its faint glow pulsed like a heartbeat. He brushed his thumb over its smooth surface. "…It feels weird. We've been together since…" His voice trailed off, unwilling to say the word "Alexandria," but they all felt it. "And now… splitting up."
Reks shifted in his seat, sitting straighter, shield propped against the chair leg. His youth showed in the tightness of his jaw, the way his fingers fidgeted. "It's not forever. We'll meet again stronger. That's what Sirius promised, right?"
As if summoned, Sirius' calm voice echoed faintly through their trinkets. "Correct. You will be separated in body, but never in spirit. The bonds you've formed will remain. This is necessary, and it will hurt, but you will thank it in the battles to come."
The five sat in silence for a moment, absorbing his words. Outside, the city bustled with life, indifferent to the small storm inside the inn.
Zack finally broke the quiet, pushing back his chair with a scrape. "Alright then. Guess I should go first." He clapped a hand on his sword, the weight familiar, comforting. "Gladiator's Guild. If I'm gonna keep throwing myself into the middle of danger, I should at least learn how to take hits as well as I dish 'em out." He looked at Aerith, his grin softening. "Don't worry—I'll come back in one piece."
Aerith's lips curved faintly, but her eyes betrayed her concern. "Just… don't get reckless. Promise me you'll listen, for once."
Zack held up his hand in mock salute. "Promise-ish."
Galuf barked a laugh. "That means no. Good luck reining him in, Mylla," he muttered, already picturing the strict guildmistress dealing with Zack's energy.
Aerith rose next, smoothing her dress. "I'll be going to Gridania. The Conjurer's Guild." She closed her eyes briefly, breathing in. "The forests there… they feel alive. Like they want to be heard. If I can heal more, help more, then that's where I belong."
Galuf gave her a proud nod. "A healer's worth ten men on the battlefield, lass. You'll do fine. Just don't spoil Zack too much when you patch him up later."
Zack puffed his chest. "Hey, I'll have you know—okay, yeah, I'll probably need her. A lot."
The laughter that followed eased some of the weight, if only for a moment.
Galuf slapped his palm on the table. "As for me, I'll be sticking around here in Ul'dah. The Pugilist's Guild has my name written all over it. Nothing like a good scrap to keep the blood pumping." He leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Besides, someone's gotta show these pups that us old dogs still have a few tricks left."
Noctis tilted his head, a faint smirk on his lips. "Pretty sure you just want an excuse to hit people without getting arrested."
Galuf wagged a finger. "That too."
Reks looked between them, nervous but firm. "I've chosen the Marauder's Guild. Limsa Lominsa. I know it's far, but… the axe feels right. Heavy, sure, but it feels like something I can grow into. Something I can wield to protect others." His grip tightened on his shield. "And if I can master it, then… I'll be someone my brother could be proud of."
The table quieted at that. The weight of his words settled in their hearts. Aerith reached out, squeezing his hand gently. "You're already someone to be proud of, Reks. Don't forget that."
Finally, Noctis spoke, his voice low. "Lancer's Guild. In Gridania, too." His eyes drifted toward the window, to the morning light spilling across the street. "A new weapon, a new way to fight. I need that. I… I can't just be the king who fell on his throne. Not here. Not again."
Zack leaned over, bumping his shoulder. "You'll figure it out. You always do, quiet guy."
Galuf nodded. "Aye. And a spear's a fine weapon for a prince. Long reach, clean strikes. Just don't trip over it."
Noctis rolled his eyes, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
---
The five rose together, the table now empty of both food and lingering hesitation. They stepped into the sunlight of Ul'dah's streets, the city's noise rushing around them like a tide. For a moment, they simply stood there, together, as if reluctant to move.
Aerith broke the silence, lifting her trinket. "No matter how far we go, these will keep us connected. Right?"
Sirius' voice hummed faintly again. "Yes. Speak when you wish. Feel when you need to. The trinkets will remind you that you are never truly alone."
Zack slung his sword over his shoulder, exhaling. "Alright, then. This is it."
Galuf adjusted his belt, cracking his knuckles. "Aye. Time to see what this world makes of us."
Reks tightened his grip on his shield. "We'll meet again. Stronger."
Noctis looked at them all, one by one, his expression soft but resolute. "…Don't forget. We're in this together."
Aerith smiled, though her eyes shimmered faintly with unshed tears. "Always."
For a moment, they stood there, five souls bound by threads unseen, on the cusp of change. Then, one by one, they turned toward their paths—Zack striding toward the coliseum, Aerith boarding the Aetherveil for Gridania, Galuf heading toward the training halls, Noctis vanishing into the shaded forests, and Reks sailing toward the sea.
The streets of Ul'dah swallowed their footsteps, but the bond remained.
High above, Sirius watched, his expression unreadable but his thoughts steady. Grow, all of you. Grow strong. For the war yet to come.