VOICES: CHAPTER 6

It was beautiful, the view from Reverie.

Not because Barnabas could look down at the expanse of Ash and its people, but because it put everything into stark, crystal clear, focus. There was no question where humanity stood when you looked down from a god's vantage point and saw the way they crawled over the land like ants to their anthills. Simple, wretched creatures, following simple wretched instinct.

It wiped away the wraiths of doubt that threatened to come between him and his god's work, and each time he had visited of late, the noises that filtered up from the villages below grew softer and softer. Today, it was silent, save for the wind through the spire.

Do you hear it, Son of Darkness?

Barnabas smirked ever so slightly. Well. Almost silent.

"The quiet. It is beautiful," he said to his Eikon. "And soon the Lord will bestow this gift upon all humanity, so they too may know its beauty."

Barnabas felt the familiar glance from Odin, a sensation he had long grown used to over the many years he'd carried the Warden of the Dark. It was neither judgemental, nor subservient. Merely, curious.

You are certain of this path. Of this submission and conquest.

It was not a question, instead a statement of fact. One Odin had brought up many times, but somehow never in a way that suggested the Eikon was against it. They were a team, Odin and Barnabas, a perfect harmony of a cleansed human with enough will to wield the elemental Lord. And they served their god without question.

"I am as certain now as I was the day I took Ash," the King mused, humoring his eternal partner's not-question. "This is the only way to save this wretched world, and we must guide Mythos to make it so. To serve that end, we must all play our parts."

There was a small gesture of acknowledgment from the stoic Eikon, though Barnabas noted the feel of his gaze did not dissipate as it normally did when Odin would turn his attention away from him.

"You have something more you wish to say," Barnabas chided. He had been Odin's Dominant for decades, and he knew his moods well. Most of the time the Eikon held little interest in conversing with his Dominant. Other times, however…

Nothing that is relevant. What you say is true. To complete your God's mission, this is the path we must take.

"Yet you do not approve?"

My approval is irrelevant. I am element, you are my wielder. Approval and opinion are why you created an Egi to serve as your aide, is it not? Allowed him will and words? To have someone to follow you, someone you could trust, someone who believed as you do, the last son of the Circle.

"You never mince words. I am but a lowly human, more susceptible to the weaknesses of loneliness and longing," Barnabas sighed wistfully. "Would that I possessed but a fraction of your temperament for solitude."

I am merely a servant to my purpose. It is what I am. Nothing more, nothing less.

Barnabas chuckled dryly. Ah yes, Odin's vaunted purpose. The core of everything the Eikon stood for that shaped his very personality.

"And do you feel your purpose is threatened by the Lord's actions?"

He felt what passed for an amused laugh from Odin at the comment. Your God does not threaten me, nor my purpose. At end of all things I will be there to devour it all. When the last of Bahamut's light has gone, the last of Shiva's cold consumed, and the last gasp of Garuda's winds exhausted, it is my blade that will be there to deliver existence to oblivion. Whether that end comes from a Blight or time is of little consequence.

"Then what does trouble the Keeper of the End?" Barnabas prodded. He hadn't truly conversed with Odin himself in several decades, instead having had Sleipnir by his side to fill the silence. It was a novelty he didn't expect to be so invested in. Perhaps he had grown too used to the Eji's presence, too fond of the companionship.

Odin seemed to sense this uncharacteristic interest in his opinion and actually turned more of his focus upon his Dominant. The Warden of Darkness was an imposing force, unnerving to the average man. Thankfully, Barnabas was everything but average.

You intend to feed my power to this Dominant and his Eikon. To empower them to fulfill your God's machinations.

"Yes."

Are you certain they will bow to your God's will as you have? From what we have seen, they will do everything in their power to thwart your purpose for them.

"Mythos may stubbornly cling to his blasphemy, but he will fulfill his glorious purpose in the end," Barnabas said with a certainty he suspected his Eikon did not share.

And what of his Eikon?

"What of it?"

Are you as certain of his submission as you are of Mythos'?

"He has served the Lord's purpose faithfully thus far, despite Mythos' defiance. Even converted the profaned Phoenix to her original purpose. I see no reason to doubt his submission to God's will."

It is unwise to mistake coercion for submission, Odin mused cryptically. He is a young Eikon, but the fact that twice now my blade has failed to break the bridge he has with his Dominant says that he is awake. And he is powerful.

"Such an important pawn has not been entirely left to chance. The loosening of his bonds was necessary, but should he prove too problematic, well, beasts can be brought to heel easily enough," Barnabas said matter-of-factly.

Of course, Odin said simply, and turned his attention away, effectively ending the conversation.

Barnabas did not take offense at the brisk dismissal. It was Odin's way, and always had been. Ever since he was a boy and had awoken to the embrace of the Dark. He might have mused further on Odin's words, considered his warnings more thoughtfully, but as he stood at the top of the world a dull pulse in the aether drew his attention away from his Eikon and towards the expanse of Ash laid out before him.

Twin flames, tiny specks of warmth in the aether, making their way out of the blindness of the Blight and turning north.

"It seems our esteemed guest has arrived. We must make ready our welcome," Barnabas said, his gaze settling on the village closest to Reverie. Ah, yes. Eistla would make a perfect opening salvo.

---

Joshua really should not have been surprised to find out that Clive had gone to face Barnabas alone. For all his talk of not taking everything on himself, his brother had a REALLY bad habit of doing it anyway.

Though he couldn't fault his logic this time. Not with a vulnerable pregnant woman as the sole survivor of Eistla, Gav as his only backup, and no way to reach Joshua through the barrier Odin had put up. At least he'd taken Torgal with him, and for what it was worth, Clive did seem okay when he finally came back.

But that had been before Gav and Edda had left to rendezvous with the Enterprise, and suddenly his brother sat down hard on the nearest stack of debris and started fidgeting with the armor on his arm. That was when Joshua noticed the slick stream of red laced into the chainmail peeking out from under his cloak.

"'I don't intend to do this alone' he says. 'I'll be careful' he says," Joshua chided mockingly, dragging his brother back into the inn. "Let me see."

"I'm fine, Joshua, it's just a few scrapes," Clive tried to swat his brother away but the hiss and clenched teeth when he tried to extract himself from Joshua's grip gave away the bravado for what it was.

"Uh huh, just a few scrapes from a sword that can cut the very fabric of creation. Sit down."

Clive grumbled in protest but did as he was told, which Joshua couldn't help but laugh at. Some things really didn't change. Together they managed to remove his armor with little difficulty. It was mostly undamaged thanks to the properties of Odin's magic that allowed him to only wound what he wanted, but underneath there was a generous helping of partially healed slices and one particularly nasty gash along his sword arm.

"Well, on the bright side I can actually say you've looked worse before, so I suppose this is an improvement," Joshua grinned, hiding his relief at his brother's state behind the lighthearted tone.

"Ha, ha," Clive grumbled, wincing slightly, but not trying to stop his brother as Joshua summoned up a ball of Phoenix's healing magic. Clive seemed resigned to letting Joshua heal him, so he took the opportunity to start before Clive could think to weasel his way out of it.

The instant Joshua's magic connected with Clive, however, he saw that it wasn't that Clive was resigned, it was that he was distracted.

Because Ifrit was shrieking.

No, it wasn't a shriek, so much, but a keen of agony, and a flash of the great horned Eikon thrashing around with labored breathing and gaping wounds like a wounded animal trying to stand suddenly appeared in front of Joshua. It was a tidal wave of pain and agony made manifest and it blindsided Joshua hard enough that he physically recoiled from his brother at the sheer intensity. Abruptly the ball of magic dissipated and Joshua felt the Phoenix shudder in shock.

"Joshua?" Clive immediately turned his focus to his brother who had stumbled back to the floor. Joshua almost didn't hear him, as his mind was suddenly filled with fire and anger the likes he hadn't felt since the Night of Flames.

What did…What has Odin done to my brother?! Phoenix hissed, the normally soft chirp turned into a harsh and scraping caw of horror.

"By the Flames…" Joshua gasped, trying not to be overwhelmed by the sudden surge of power from his Eikon. "Clive, what is wrong with Ifrit?"

"Ifrit? I don't-" Clive stopped himself halfway into the thought and blinked at Joshua. "Wait, how do you know something is wrong with Ifrit?"

What happened?! Have him show me! Joshua winced at the demand from Phoenix and the power behind it. He'd never felt Phoenix rage like this, not since his first uncontrolled priming eighteen years ago.

Wait, just calm down! Joshua pleaded.

"Joshua?"

"I'm alright, Clive. It's the Phoenix, she's demanding to know what happened," Joshua managed through gritted teeth. He could feel the start of a headache as the Phoenix started scratching to get to the surface. "She wants you to show her."

"Show her? How am I supposed to…"

Clive was interrupted by another hiss from Joshua as the Phoenix lashed out again. Let me see how he did this! Please! Nothing should be able to do this to an Eikon! I need to know!

I don't…how is Clive supposed to… Joshua froze mid thought. No I'm not giving you over, that's exactly what Ultima wants!

The Phoenix seemed to halt in middle of another string of pleas, the pressure of wings and talons and fire against Joshua's senses abating some. No…you…you're right. You shouldn't have to…no, you do not have to relinquish me, the firebird seemed to come back to herself some, the blind rage and demands tempered by Joshua's refusal. But he could feel the soft buzz that said she was still reeling.

My Blessing, she said finally. You've already given him my blessing! Use it.

Okay how am I supposed to use THAT to see anything?!

I will show you how, please, we need to help my brother.

"The Phoenix says…we can use her Blessing. Clive, I've never felt her like this, I think she's terrified."

Clive studied Joshua for a moment, and seemed to pause ever so slightly, likely to respond to something Ifrit was saying or doing, and then nodded. "Alright then, tell us what she needs us to do."

Reach out, like you were before. I will do the rest, the Phoenix said immediately.

Joshua shrugged helplessly and recalled the ball of healing fire he'd been prepared to use prior. "She says to hang on."

With his hand shaking more than he realized, Joshua reached out and pushed the healing aether into Clive's arm. The instant the contact was made, Joshua felt Phoenix's talons rake along the strand of aether, following it's path until it found its target; the soft featherlight glow of the Blessing nestled somewhere in Clive's chest. The force with which she dug her claws in was enough to actually knock the wind out of Clive, causing him to double over nearly falling off the chair had Joshua not been there to catch him.

"Fuck that hurt," Clive grumbled, though he sounded more surprised than angry.

Phoenix, you're hurting him!

It won't hurt for long, I promise. I just need a bridge…

A bridge to where?!

Sister?

Joshua froze. That was not his Eikon's voice. Ifrit?

What…are you doing…here? The raking growl was almost disoriented, reminiscent of how Joshua felt after just waking up.

I am trying to help you, but I cannot unless I see how this was done to you. Show me what happened. Please.

There was a sluggish pause, and then a shallow and labored huff, before Joshua felt the impression of the injured Eikon nodding.

And suddenly the world was consumed by darkness.

---

Joshua's vision blanked, voiding out into an expanse of black, that only started coming back to itself when the sound of rain invaded his ears.

Everything slowly came back into focus, but he was no longer kneeling on the floor of the inn, his arm on his brother's. Instead dark clouds were overheard, filling the night with thunder and rain. And amidst the clashes of lighting, were the clashes of battle.

The braying of an Eikonic horse, and the roar of an Inferno echoed through the skies and suddenly Joshua could see them. Clive in Ifrit's form leaping off the building to avoid one of Odin's swings.

Where are we? Joshua gaped, dumbfounded.

It is a memory. Ifrit is showing us what happened, came the disembodied voice of the Phoenix. 

You can do that?! Joshua couldn't help but yell incredulously.  This was insane, he was in his brother's memories?!

So long as I can maintain the connection to the Blessing, yes.

There was a resounding crash as Clive's claws sank into the side of another spire, diving out another swipe from Odin. Setting aside the sheer insanity of what was happening, Joshua pushed that aside for later and diverted his attention back to the battle unfolding in front of them.

Fuck!

Clive's voice, and Joshua saw what his brother had, Odin charging back at him before they could get his feet under more terrain to change his trajectory.

We can take it!

Ifrit.

I hope you're right, was Clive's reply as he attempted to mitigate what was coming with a feeble block of his claws.

Ifrit was only half right.  Odin’s strike didn’t kill them.  But then again, he hadn't aimed to kill.  Instead his blade passed right through them, and severed the channeling that connected Clive to Ifrit’s form.  It held on by a thread, enough not to break them apart completely, but not enough to maintain the prime.

Ifrit’s roar of rage and pain was not one Joshua would likely forget in his lifetime, as Clive fell fully human to the ground, landing hard on his side.  Odin’s mad cackling and incessant baiting allowed Clive the moment he needed to collect himself and turn back to the immediate threat at hand while Ifrit reeled.  

What did he do to us?! Joshua heard Ifrit roar. He nearly fumbled his tenuous hold on this thin tether to the memories upon hearing the pain in his brother's Eikon, before he felt Phoenix's claws sink in deeper.

It’s fine, we can do this, we’re not finished yet.  Clive had yelled back. We have promises to keep.

Ifrit’s growl was mangled and weak, still bleeding metaphorically from the gash across their bridge, but it was one of agreement. Right.

The world around them shifted again, flashes of blades and rubble and lightning that flew by in fast forward until the memory settled again. Clive was still human, Ifrit still unable to respond beyond a semi-prime. Barnabas had primed fully again, and had shifted his attacks away from Clive himself, and towards the very terrain under his feet.

“Oh shit,” Clive muttered seeing the massive blade incoming.  This swing would destroy the building, bringing it down on his head, and no amount of agility would allow him to dodge that.  He’d be crushed.

Fuck that, came Ifrit’s snarl and with it there was a jolt as something forcibly reconnected the frayed bond between Dominant and Eikon, searing in back into place.  Just as the top of the spire would have flattened him, Clive felt Ifrit surge to the front again, the violent flame of his summoning knocking the rubble away with a blast of heated air.  That which didn’t, bounced harmlessly off his volcanic armor.

Well that’s one way to do it, Clive deadpanned, letting go of the breath he’d been holding, waiting for the impact.  He glanced up at Odin, who was studying him from his place atop Sleipnir, lip curling back to bare his teeth at the mad king.  

I will hold it as long as I can, came Ifrit's strained growl, crackling like a caldera threatening to sunder. 

Kill the bastard.

Clive nodded in that way only Dominants channeling Eikons could.  Gladly.

---

Phoenix relaxed some of her vice-like grip on the Blessing and everything spun. It was like coming up for air after nearly drowning, and Joshua had to grab the nearby chair to steady himself as the memories of battle dissipated and he found himself back in the inn, sprawled on the floor. Clive was still breathing a bit heavier than normal, but seemed otherwise unharmed.

Founder…Odin targeted the binding, Joshua muttered, head still spinning from the abrupt shift back to reality.

The very thing that allows an Eikon to wake in a Dominant. He went for their weakest point…and Ifrit..used himself as a conduit to weld that bridge back together, Phoenix's tone was both in awe and furious, and with her claws still clutching that small tether to the Blessing that resided in Clive, she focused on the injured Eikon across the aether. You absolute…STUPID IDIOT OF A BROTHER! Do you have any idea what could have happened?! Using yourself to maintain a prime! You could have torn yourself asunder! You almost did! Look at yourself!

Didn't…have much of a choice…now did we, sister? was the weak and defiant reply from Ifrit as his attention drifted from the pain to his raging sibling.

I swear by all the fire and brimstone my Dominant was RIGHT to worry about you two!

There was a weak rasping almost chuckle from Ifrit, but it was quickly cut off by another keen. He seemed to want to say more, but all he seemed capable of managing was another pained crooning noise and then the strand of aether from the Blessing Phoenix had been holding to communicate with Ifrit fell limp. He just didn't have the energy anymore to keep up the connection. Joshua felt Phoenix's wrath falter and morph into a pang of panic.

"Is…Ifrit.." Joshua began before that kernel of panic could fully blossom again. 

"He's still here," Clive assured him, though he suspected he was also reassuring the Phoenix. "Just…winded, I suppose is the best way to describe it. It's been this way since the fight. His stamina doesn't seem to be recovering like it normally would so he just, goes quiet for awhile. And when he's awake, he's like that."

Will he be alright? Joshua asked the Phoenix, who had calmed some upon hearing that her brother was still there, but seemed to still be wrapping her mind around all she had seen.

I…don't…we cannot die in the same sense as our Dominants can…but we can go dormant. I've never seen anything like this…across eons of Eikons and Dominants none have ever…

Can we heal it?

Phoenix's attention snapped to Joshua, a flutter of nerves and frustration coursing through his mind from his Eikon. …Yes…but it…will cost us. It will cost you. Eikons were never meant to bear the brunt of a channeling. This may be more than you can handle.

You've given me the power time and again to save my brother, it's only fair I do the same for yours.

The warmth of fiery wings curling around Joshua's mind was intense as the firebird gave him the equivalent of a hug. Have I mentioned that I am deeply proud you are my Dominant?

Just remember that the next time you chastise me for imprisoning fragments of gods inside myself.

The chirp of humor put Joshua's mind more at ease. He hadn't realized just how used to Phoenix's calm and steady presence he'd gotten, until it was upended and the volatile and vibrant force when her element came to the forefront, and he was reminded that while the Phoenix was the Eikon of life, she was also an Eikon of fire.  It turned out Ifrit was not the only one with a temper.

"Clive, tell Ifrit we're going to try something," Joshua said, getting back to his feet.

Clive's eyes immediately snapped to Joshua's, pulled out of whatever he was dealing with internally with his injured Eikon. "Joshua, this isn't a normal injury you're healing. You can't possibly…"

"The Phoenix says we can."

"But at what cost?!"

"A cost worth paying. We need Ifrit to take down the Mothercrystal and he's in no condition to do so," Joshua snapped. "Trust me, Clive. I know what I can handle, and I know what I'm doing. And so does the Phoenix."

There was a visible battle in Clive's eyes, likely with some commentary to and from Ifrit as well, before Clive let out a shaky breath and nodded, clasping Joshua's outstretched arm.

We do, right? Know what we're doing? Joshua asked the Phoenix, almost comically.

The firebird fluttered in agitation, but exuded confidence when she spoke. Yes, we do. But you must be careful not to overdo this. I suspect neither of them are happy about asking this of us, no matter how freely we offer it. Only do what we must and no more.

Joshua nodded. Agreed. Show me what I must do.

---

It took much, much longer than any healing session Joshua could remember, before Phoenix deemed that they had done all they could.

Using the Blessing as a direct link, Joshua would translate to Clive what Phoenix needed Ifrit to do, as the injured Eikon could barely manage to keep his focus for more than a few minutes at a time. Between the three of them, Joshua directing, Clive maneuvering Ifrit as Phoenix needed, and the firebird pouring her healing flames to seal the fissures, they managed. For the most part, the rips and tears wrought by the in-battle triage were mostly repaired. Now it was simply a matter of resting and letting the Eikon's natural healing handle the rest.

Clive had offered to take first watch, and Joshua for his part took the opportunity with open arms. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this drained just from healing. He could also already feel his ribs on one side and one of his legs plagued with a stiffness and pain that told him the curse had found new purchase on his body. Not that he would tell Clive that if he could help it.

Now if only he could get his mind to settle. Between the Phoenix's uncharacteristic outburst and frantic panic, traveling into one of Clive's memories, and learning just how exactly one healed aetheric wounds on an Eikon, his mind was reeling. He wondered if this is what Clive felt like whenever something new and impossible happened to him.

You need to rest, my friend.

Joshua chuckled ruefully. I am both too tired to rest, and too tired to move. I think I can managed to lie here at least.

The Phoenix chittered in the little scolding tone she sometimes took when Joshua was thinking of doing something stupid. You are getting perilously close to your limit. Especially the more…active…he becomes.

Joshua glanced down at his chest, where he knew the imprisoned fragment of Ultima resided.

I'm sure Ifrit would have done the same for you. Clive would have done the same for me, if our positions were reversed.

The firebird was quiet for another moment before Joshua felt the warmth of her words drift up again. I cannot express how grateful I am at what you both have done for us.

It's what family does. At least family that matters.

The Phoenix was quiet for awhile at that, fluttering softly in her nest in Joshua's awareness, but he could tell she wasn't quite ready to rest herself yet, and smiled gently when she spoke up again.

I never understood that sentiment, she chirped softly. Not fully. My Dominants were always leaders of your land, men and women who would shepherd their people in wildly different ways. Some would control, some would inspire, some would meekly ask. I always assumed that is what it would be like to have a family.

Joshua felt his Eikon shift her attention over to where Clive, despite his best efforts, was asleep in a chair. But I see now…it is nothing like what my Dominants described to me. What I have seen did not prepare me for the chaos of emotion that comes with it. A sibling born of my own element, someone I share something so central to myself with. It is truly terrifying how far the feeling to protect that will push us to go.

I'm sure that's what Clive and Ifrit were thinking when they faced Odin. That if they failed they would be leaving us behind to face that monster on our own, and that they couldn't allow that, Joshua mused. It's not always that way between siblings, but when it is, it's something both precious and terrifying.

Is that part of why you did not reveal yourself to your brother when you learned he was free? The fear of what had happened to your bond?

Joshua sighed.

Perhaps a little. I knew, logically that he would never have hurt me that night if he had been in control, I would not have attacked had I known he was Ifrit's Dominant and not been panicked and out of control myself. But we were children, and thirteen years of war and slavery changes a man. I think I was afraid that the brother I loved really did die that night, and the man running through those ruins was some stranger wearing his face. So I told myself that I had to think of the big picture, what was at stake. It was so easy to make excuses, and soon enough it was all I allowed myself to focus on. Stopping Ultima, to save the world. And my brother.

Did you not fear what he might think of you, the longer you postponed revealing your survival to him?

I feared more that I would lose the few memories of happiness I had left in my life if he hated me for hiding so long. And that fear only grew worse until fate saw fit to literally throw me at his feet in Twinside.

Joshua glanced up at his brother, dozing haphazardly in the chair. And I found all my fears and worries were for naught. Despite it all, he is still the brother I love, and he still shares that sentiment.

The Phoenix trilled softly in thought. I have known anger, rage, disappointment, compassion, even fear, for the Dominants I was fond of. But none of that compares to the fear I felt at the prospect of losing a brother I've only known for a tiny sliver of my existence. Who has only spoken for less than a moon, and who has only been awake for half the span of one Dominant. Who I barely know. There was a curious pause that Joshua noted, chased with a flicker of confusion.

I feared…that truly, primal, base-born fear…for my brother. And now that it is there, I do not know what to do with it.

Joshua hummed quietly in thought. As someone who has a bit of experience with pigheaded brothers who like to take on more than they should, may I offer you some advice?

Please.

Don't fight it. The fear. Be afraid that this time might be the time his stubbornness isn't enough, but don't let it control you. Share the burdens he has to carry and be there to make sure one of you is always there to pick up the other.

That is why you refuse to give me over as Shiva did?

Joshua laughed. Ultima's intentions aside, I suppose in the end, yes, it is. He'll take on everything by himself to protect everyone else, but then no one will be there to pick him up if he falls. And while I know Eikons aren't exactly well known for working together, I suspect Ifrit will appreciate having you with him in your entirety when we have to face what Ultima has in store for us.

There was a long lapse in the conversation, Phoenix seeming to nestle down to think over what Joshua had said. He had almost managed to drift off to sleep despite the nagging pain from the new patches of curse, when he heard the soft flutter of flames ever so softly pipe up from the back of his mind.

You would have made an excellent Archduke, you know, had things gone differently. Your people would have loved you.

Too tired to properly respond, Joshua simply took the compliment in stride and let the embrace of sleep finally overtake his exhausted body and mind.  They couldn't dally long, and he needed the rest if they were to continue the next day. The rickety road of two Eikons learning what it was to be siblings aside, they still had a Mothercrystal to destroy.

---

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