Koo

Reference sheet

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A realm reborn

୨୧ chills in the 12th, unaware he is currently not in the source
୨୧ keeps getting echo visions of his sister struggling as wol
୨୧ hydaelyn visits him out of the blue, offering him a chance to replace the role of the wol in the source, which he accepts
୨୧ after a brief reunion, the universe does a switcharoo
୨୧ lix's existence is wiped, and everyone would only remember the wol as koo
୨୧ thrown headfirst into the crystal braves mess & ul'dah banquet scene
୨୧ becomes close to haurchefant when seeking refuge in camp dragonhead, his first real friend
୨୧ enters ishgard after much difficulty, adapting to his circumstances and knowing everyone

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Heavensward

୨୧ travels with alphinaud, estinien & ysayle to churning mists, growing attached to them
୨୧ the vault happens, haurche dies. he grieves over him with lord edmont, takes a huge hit in morale and mental state
୨୧ party finds y'shtola. he is confused over who she is, but has to keep the act of the wol. matoya finds him sus but they dont speak of it
୨୧ azys lla happens, ysayle dies. mental state takes another hit, but this time he's fueled by rage
୨୧ single-handedly defeats thordan. "what are you?" the first hint of koo's distaste of the world. starts to bottle his emotions and thoughts
୨୧ picks up astrologian between the months of inactivity. realizes a strong affinity for healing magicks and gains the ability to passively self-heal
୨୧ nidhogg happens, he starts to gain fame as the savior of ishgard / warrior of light

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Stormblood

୨୧ party finds thancred. he doesnt know who he is. they dont hit it off / clash a lot
୨୧ meets alisaie. she notes that she's met him, he's certain she meant lix
୨୧ party finds papalymo & lyse. comes to familiarize with papalymo, fond of him
୨୧ he finds fray. picks up dark knight
୨୧ baelsar's wall happens, papalymo dies. honors his last wish and honestly just finds it a pity he couldn't get to know him better
୨୧ grows closer to lyse as the party helps rhalgr's reach and becomes close friends
୨୧ crosses blades with zenos. ends in defeat, yet sparking a flame of thrill from battle
୨୧ party goes to kugane. he meets alice, who joins the party. they grow very close and he falls in love
୨୧ party liberates doma. they lose gosetsu, and he gets a harsh reminder that the wol is fated to lose loved ones anytime. starts to grow numb
୨୧ party liberates ala mhigo. he kills zenos, satisfying his desire to defeat
୨୧ party revisits kugane and finds gosetsu & yotsuyu
୨୧ he kills yotsuyu. "i only wish you had a better life" bottles up a lot of guilt

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Shadowbringers

୨୧ agrees to a fake marriage with alice, still hiding his affection for her
୨୧ scions start to fall into coma. tries to keep it positive until alice falls unconscious in his arms. major depression overwhelms him
୨୧ mind blank, makes an impromptu visit back to home village. his parents try to comfort him, giving him some hope
୨୧ as he is otw back to rising stones, tataru tracks him down, informing him they found a path in the syrcus trench
୨୧ he goes to the first. meets the crystal exarch, whom he dislikes due to the inaccurate summonings that resulted in avoidable trauma
୨୧ meets ardbert. feels a deep sense of connection between them. becomes close buddies
୨୧ reunites with alice in the crystarium library. subsequently reunites with the leveilleur twins and take down the first lightwarden
୨୧ accidentally confesses to alice. feelings are mutual
୨୧ reunites with the rest of the scions. they began to care more about him as an individual as he cares for them back
୨୧ meets emet-selch. finds him pitiful for unknown reasons at the time
୨୧ meets ryne. shows a lot of care for her
୨୧ he overhears y'shtola discussing about the amount of light aether he is absorbing. he starts to worry himself
୨୧ crown of the immaculate happens. koo almost dies, lest saved at the last string by ryne
୨୧ amaurot happens. kills emet-selch, despite feeling overwhelming sadness doing so. grieves over ardbet's disappearance
୨୧ learns of g'raha tia's true intentions and past relation with lix. forgives him and slowly builds a strong bond
୨୧ meets elidibus. every meeting with him reminds him of ardbert
୨୧ helps ryne with investigating eden and eventually restores the empty
୨୧ the seat of sacrifice happens. feels devastated for the loss of both elidibus and g'raha tia, but morale doesnt fall
୨୧ the scions return to the source. sees g'raha as himself for the first time, and hope is renewed

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Endwalker

୨୧ meets fandaniel. no comment
୨୧ party goes to old sharlayan. feels amazed by the constant trade of knowledge and opportunities for wisdom
୨୧ follows thancred, urianger & estinien to thavnair, leaving business in labyrinthos to alice & party
୨୧ party goes to garlemald. dislikes the area due to his sensitivity to cold, but earnestly puts his heart to the cause
୨୧ naively believed he could somehow convince the refugees in tertium to receive help. quintus's death shocked him
୨୧ 'in from the cold' happens. briefly traumatized by the body-switching, but finds an affinity with reaper as a result
୨୧ brings down tower of babil and goes to mare lamentorum, placing faith in the scions to take care of the aftermath
୨୧ meets the watcher. feels a sense of unknown nostalgia from him
୨୧ kills zodairk. finds pity in fandaniel's cause but possesses no remorse
୨୧ learns about bestways burrows and the loporrits' purpose. he admires their dedication despite the several hiccups. livingway is cute
୨୧ party goes back to thavnair to witness the start of final days. reminds him of the echo nightmares he's had recently and fills him with intense fear throughout
୨୧ party decides he should go to the first. meets elidibus again, feels a tinge of sadness when elidibus disappears
୨୧ travels to the land of elpis. feels a sense of bittersweetness as he goes through the arc. has his travels been worthwhile?
୨୧ returns to the source, immediately rushing to garlemald to help contain the final days
୨୧ party returns to labyrinthos to confront hydaelyn in the aitiascope
୨୧ lix is returned to him as hydaelyn's (venat's) last favor
୨୧ party rests for a few days, then heads off to ultima thule as per hydaelyn's instruction
୨୧ scion members leave him one by one, reminding him of his situation before. but he stays strong and presses on; for lix and alice
୨୧ defeats the endsinger and saves meteion
୨୧ zenos almost defeats him, if not for fray (kai rui) taking over him and dealing the last blow. oddly, he felt gratitude
୨୧ returns to etheirys, truimphant. shortly after announces his passing of the wol title back to his sister. his adventure is finally over
୨୧ takes a long break from adventuring, enrolling himself into old sharlayan's studium to pursue his own curiosity. rejoins the party after they find zero

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The view (1/2)

the sounds of snow crunching beneath her footsteps echoes around her. there's no one else around, except for the few passive ice sprites that littered around the area. the sight isn't uncommon; people don't usually come to this area of coerthas.letting out a warm breath on her hands, the female miqo'te approaches the meeting spot, right under the big tree. from here, the great tower formed of crystals stood in the distance, glittering in its glory. the accursed tower… her thoughts run, but if it was not for its existence..footsteps again; one that’s not hers. she turns to the source, ears upright in alert and heart hopeful, but it turned out to be just a wandering traveller passing by. the ears droop as she lets out a sigh.she catches herself then, lightly slapping on her now warm cheeks. ahh, what’s with you! get a hold of yourself! it’s not as if he’s anyone special.. right? yeah.one would say this is an odd location for a date; out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by snowy mountains. and they'd be right, but that's how lix was; favoring things that seemed odd to others. all but one could never understand her.yet, that one person that could was crazy enough to go further beyond, saying "since you like this spot so much, let us meet here," while very visibly shaking from the cold. she took up on the offer anyway; she’s not going to pity him. his suffering is on him. (it’s also plain hilarious to her)closing her eyes, she perked her ears and listened carefully to her surroundings. a field of quiet, not a hint of footsteps at all. she lets out a groan. in hindsight, maybe she shouldn't have been this early.. but could anyone really blame her for dropping everything the moment she received a note from the red-haired miqo'te, asking her to meet here? well – maybe.at that moment, her ears pick up a sound. crunch, crunch, crunch… footsteps. the ones she’d been looking for. they are coming closer, approaching where she stood. she nervously wrings her fingers behind her back, aware that her heart’s beating was starting to become unreasonably loud.now, what was the scent of you again?"lix!"ah, there you are.her eyes open, to be greeted by a pair of red."happy nameday," the words came out of g'raha's mouth, followed by the bouquet of purple lilies he held out within his hands."i-" she stares at the bouquet, arms unmoving. her head suddenly goes blank, as if anything she had wanted to say before was just washed away. oh dear.."what's wrong? is it… not today?" the boy hesitates in retracting the bouquet."oh no i…" this is embarrassing. "i forgot..."the concern in g'raha's eyes dissipates almost instantly. "oh thank the twelve.."her hands gingerly accept the bouquet, holding it close to her chest. to think he remembers a date i never bothered with.. she looks up at the red-haired miqo, who had started rambling about what he'd do if he did actually get the date wrong. he must have noticed lix isn't absorbing anything, as he trails off in his ramble and looks back with care.it's cold out here. they are standing in the middle of the snow, the number of trees a little less than ten. yet this feeling is warm. was it gratification? or pleasure? either way, her cheeks are starting to burn up.ah, whatever. her feet move towards g'raha, before throwing herself into his arms. it catches the miqo'te by surprise, but he responds and hugs her back.warmth.. no, it was neither gratification nor pleasure. it was joy. the happiness from someone caring enough to remember something so important about you."thank you – so much"but was happiness always this warm? or maybe there's something else..--
the two decided on sitting down and spending some time alone here. away from rammbroes, from cid and the gang, from socialization. it was sorely needed for the both of them.her head rested against his shoulder, her eyes lazily watch as his fingers drew patterns on her palm. the bouquet is nested on her thighs, still within the clutches of her right hand. the relaxing vibe of this moment was something she'd give up anything for."i've always wanted to ask…" g'raha eventually breaks the silence. "why do you like this spot?" there are many answers, many ways she could reply. but ultimately, it came down to one thing."the view."g'raha looks up at her answer, following her gaze which was directed at the crystal tower. "the view?"she nods. "y'know how much i love to explore. when we were young, koo would always complain when i dragged him to explore the hills around our village," a smile forms on her lips as memories are recalled. "but in the end, he'd always comply, purely for the view at the end. he'd be in awe, entranced even, and say it was worth it, even if he'd grumble on the way back."a sigh escapes her lips. oh brother, where are you? where have you gone?"and you would force him to climb up here, show him this place?" g'raha replies."i think he'd love this view. he'd always love... seeing structures from mountaintops…"he wraps an arm around her shoulders in assurance. there wasn't much he could say, and she understood that. still, his presence was comforting enough. she finally breaks her gaze away from that view and nuzzles her face into his neck, feeling some of the stress lift. they stay in that position for a good while."let's get back to the revenant's toll, before the others get worried." he stands up, offering a hand to her. she takes it and doesn't let go.

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Lix .

"listen, you can't keep going on like this." the white-haired au ra sat in the distance.i couldn't be bothered to listen, pulling myself to the target to unleash a series of slashes with my rapier yet again.an audible sigh could be heard from her. "you can't lie. we both know you're exhausted as hell."right as she said that, i made a backflip. as i landed however, something twists in my ankle and i fell backwards. the thud was painful, but nothing more painful than the hit to my dignity."see?""oh, shut up you- it's your fault!" i snapped, quickly accessing the injury. it wasn't that serious, luckily. i could probably still stand-"alright, time to go home, big girl." cas giggled in response. she jumped down and offered a hand, to which i reluctantly accepted and was pulled up. "i baked your favorite cookies back at the house." it's almost like she knows me.as much as cas was an annoyance, i couldn't deny the truth. i had been going at the dummy and the few unfortunate shrooms around the area since the morning. even as i walked, my legs felt like they were ready to buckle over anytime. i really needed a lie down, but at the same time…"what are you thinking about? you have a glum look on your face." cas glanced at my direction."i need to be stronger…" the words came out of my mouth before i could hold them. ah well, it wasn't like it was news to either of us."that why you've been in the fields since the crack of dawn?"i nodded. "not just that- i needed to get some things off my mind too." i was reminded how my little brother would silently climb into my bed whenever he had a nightmare, i thought, but didn't say."you want to see your brother again, don't cha? " it's almost like she knows me; a little too well that it's scary. "do you even have a plan yet?"besides me, cas was probably the only other person to know about the existence of the other thirteen shards, considering she was from the 13th. i shook my head. "but i have to stay strong. if slaying primals and keeping this world safe is all i can do for him..""then you'll bloody well do it. i've heard those words a thousand times"that got a scoff out of me. "then stop asking." cas just throws a shit-eating grin in response. but she was right. if this is all i could do, then i would do it.koo, i'll definitely see you again..

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Under the first moonlight

everything had been a blur. from running into holminster, to seeing a familiar face disfigured beyond recognition, to slaying the blobbed thing they call a lightwarden."it's releasing its aether, we cannot let it touch us! quickly, my lord-" lyna's voice called from behind. the shimmering substance of what they call light – floated in suspense over where the lightwarden had stood. yet koo stayed rooted, almost entrancedmore voices behind.. followed by the light coming closer.. then...he looked up towards the sky, and reached out with his hand. a beam of pure aether shot from his palm and split the light of sky in half, welcoming the darkness that was the night. everyone, including koo himself, stood in awe as the light opened like a curtain.everything had been a blur - up to that point."koo?" her voice snapped him awake then. he turned to see alice, whom was staring up at the night sky as well. stars seemed to glitter within her eyes. "i haven't seen the night in.. months.." her voice shook. she shifted her gaze, the pair of teal-colored eyes turning to make eye contact instead. "thank you."and now, he lies in the bed of his room, trying to recollect all that has happened like he always does. yet somehow, that moment he captured of alice was stuck in his mind, as if it was blocking everything else behind it. she'd wore an expression he had never seen, and spoke with such emotion in her words..koo rolls over in his bed, letting out a grumble. get a grip, dude. you shouldn't be thinking about someone this much..!he can hear his heart thumping, his mind now occupied because it decided to start dragging up every single memory he shared with alice, for some damn reason. there is one very pertinent thought through all that mess though, and that is -he really, really likes alice.a door knock snaps him out of his thoughts – or rather, a rapid pattern of soft tapping against his door did. who could be here at this hour..? he drags himself off the bed, shaking his head and tidying his ruffled hair before opening the door.speak of the devil.."kooooo..." he doesn't see anyone in the doorway, yet could very clearly hear alice's whisper. taking a step out, he sees her... standing stealthily beside the door. "let me in?" she whispers again, despite not needing to; there's no one else around.he is used to this. so he will open his door wider to let her in without questioning anything. and he does just that.it's not the first time she had snuck over in the night, nor is it the first time they spent a night in the same room. it's become a normal occurrence for the both of them, so much so he feels a little odd sleeping in her absence. though maybe... that would have been more welcome this night.after shutting the door properly, he turns back towards the room and notices the au ra standing by the window, slowly opening them to reveal the starry sky. it almost seems to capture all her attention again, as she stares a little dazedly into the night."have you missed the night that much?"that managed to shift her focus away. "of course! i haven't seen it in, what-" she holds her fingers up, counting, ".. 7 months!"she turns back to the window. "… and even longer for alisaie and the others."koo joins her by her side, gently taking her hand in his like he always does, and leads her towards the balcony, carefully stepping around the potted flowers towards the railing."i've forgotten how pretty the stars are," alice starts. "all i've seen in the past few months are just day, and more day, followed by even more day.. even i'm starting to get sick of it. i'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to stand it at all!""yeah?" koo leans on the railing. "what makes you think so?" he's not even looking at the sky; all his attention was already captured by one person."are you really asking that, night lover?" alice pouts, "hmp, i bet you would have gotten tired of it in just a week!" then, she sighs. "i miss the source. i miss going around and seeing the sights. i miss kugane and everyone there. i miss being in eorzea and stargaze like this. and most importantly, i missed doing all of it; with you.." her voice trails off.his heart skips a beat. reflexively he turns away, eyes trying to find literally anything else they could catch, while his hands clenches into fists. this moment is very dangerous."i was thinking," alice continues, as if she didn't just drop something devastating. "when we go back to the source, can we go stargazing? we could sit on the rooftops, and watch the stars shimmer. then, you can tell me all about the stars and constellations again. why? because…"as much as he tries to resist, he can't help it; he steals a glance at the au ra again. alice had a finger to her cheek, head tilted to the side, a thinking expression present on her face. it's really cute."..just because i miss it!"she looks over at the exact moment, catching koo glancing at her. then, she giggles.his heart is full. his mind is blank. his mouth is unfiltered. "i love you so much."a loud slap follows after, caused by koo slapping a hand over his own mouth. alice stops giggling instantly. in the dead quiet of night, both of them stare at each other awkwardly. it must have been… five whole seconds of absolute silence, before a small "huh?" comes from alice.ah, you've really gone and done it now, huh? alice is still staring at him, eyes almost telling a sense of... disbelief?"i- i don't think i heard that right. can you- say it again?" she stutters.you know what, screw it. words have already been said and heard; there's no going back now. no matter how much his mind is telling him no, how much his heart is drumming in his chest, he'll say the phrase as its intended meaning."i love you. romantically."there's another few seconds of silence, before a sob breaks out from alice. it catches him by surprise, concern overwriting any nervousness he might have had. he raises his hand to wipe a tear off, but is instead hit with alice as a whole as she throws herself in his arms, hugging him tightly and mumbling into his chest, "i like you too, dummy"is this what pure happiness feels like? a sudden rush of euphoria, a warm sensation in your heart, and an urge to cry happy tears?but alice wasn't done. "idiot, i'd given up all hope! i was so sure someone like you would never like me.""..why?""because!" alice glares up at him, however non-threatening it looks. "you're the warrior of light, the renowned hero of the world! you have many big things to do – things that require more of your attention than me, who's just a-""why do you think i agreed to marry you?" koo cuts her off. there's nothing but endearment in his eyes, his heart feeling like it's in full bloom."because …" alice looks towards the side, eyes shifting around to indicate her thinking. "because you wanted the ring..?"a chuckle escapes from his lips, which got her to look back again with furrowed brows. she looks so adorable from this angle, he swear he could combust. lowering his head, their foreheads touch, faces inches away from each other. he whispers, "'cause i liked you." it feels so natural to say it now; he wants to say it again and again, just to convince himself this is all real.the cogs in her mind turn, and he could see the exact moment she realized what it meant. her eyes widened, ready to tell her conclusion. "you've liked me since-"he cuts her off for the second time, closing the remaining distance between their lips. the sudden kiss made her tense up in shock, but she eases into it within seconds.hell, when did he get so brave? this is impressive even for him. does it feel exactly like the books of fiction describe it, koo? he'd reckon the answer was a sounding yes.

The view (2/2)

"raha… are we there… yet?""almost, almost! wow, she wasn't kidding about how much you complain. you're even making me look younger than you""i'm not … one for... climbing in the cold..." the strawberry-haired miqo'te huffs as he reaches the final step."well well, just look at this sight. i had forgotten how pretty it is from up here." g'raha, now in an outfit more fit for the snow, poses in a lookout gesture.koo’s eyes follow, and what greeted him was a picturesque view of the crystal tower in the distance. the nebula of colors reflects off the many surfaces of the tower, making it shimmer in its glory in the distance. almost like a watercolor drawing that you'd only find in books, he was seeing it here with his own eyes."wow… this was worth it.""yeah?" g'raha goes to sit on the ground, at the same spot by the tree, inviting koo to follow suit.he watches as the pair of red-teal eyes move to absorb every detail, his face in constant amazement. he thinks back to that moment, all those years ago in his memory, where he had sat in this exact spot with a different companion. "he'd love this view.." her words echo."why did you bring me here specifically?" the boy eventually asks, finally turning back to look at g’raha."this spot… was lix's favorite spot."koo's expression sinks at the mention of his sister. "..i see.""she said that she would have dragged you up here. that this view would have fit into your ideal scenery, and that you'd love this place as much as she did.""… i do." he replies softly, no doubt hurting in his heart."i just wanted to fulfill her wishes.”“... thank you.”then, they fell into a comfortable silence.

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Koo.

a day like any other.i opened my eyes to the scenery of the rising stones, from the corner table which i was seated. there wasn't a lot of us around, but it felt lively. as my eyes scanned across the room, i noticed yet again the little things in everyone.on the other side of the room, y'shtola, krile and alisaie occupied a table together. both y'shtola and krile held a hand to their chins, seemingly in thought, while alisaie's eyes were almost sparkling with the amount of enthusiasm she held. i'd say she had just made a breakthrough.. what about though.. i don't think i needed to know.at the counter, tataru sat in her desk, no doubt doing what a receptionist should do. in that moment, riol approached her from the side, to which she responded with eagerness. a delivery had probably just arrived.at the bar, alianne stood behind it, cleaning one of the glasses. she had said she was temporarily looking after the place on miss f'lhaminn's behalf, but with that amount of care.. she must have taken a liking to that role at that point. i'm sure miss f'lhaminn wouldn't mind.behind the wall, i could hear the rowdy noises of hoary and gang. it seemed they were prepared to go off somewhere again. in between those mixed voices, i could hear alphinaud too, telling them to take care.the only ones missing were thancred, urianger, and raha. i wasn't informed on what their plans were - which meant it probably wasn't that important. for all i know they could just be wandering aimlessly again; as they tend to do."koo, did you hear me?" my gaze snapped back to the redhead au ra seated in front of me. a pair of teal eyes stared intensely at me, in her hands clutched an open book.right. "you weren't listening..." alice muttered, her brows arching and a frown starting to form on her lips. i panicked, frantically looking for an excuse."i was- i was thinking! of what to reply!""uh-huh." she calmly put the book down before taking a sip of tea.sigh. there was no saving this. i put my hands together, tilting my head downwards in apology. "sorry."it didn't take more than two seconds for alice to crack out of her cold act and let out a giggle. music to my ears. "you silly.. i forgive you" i looked back up and laughed with her.*it warmed my heart, just existing in this space, this moment. much as i hoped for this feeling of peacefulness to stay, there were still things i was responsible for. the day where this peace will break again is inevitable, but that's for the warrior of light to worry about. *for now, i'll cherish in this moment...

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Nightmare

i stood atop the cliffs of thanalan. my eyes reflected the countless falling meteors that rained down on the grounds they called hydaelyn."the final days are truly upon us.." alisaie's words echoed in my mind. if anything, it called for urgency; for a concern of the world i've resided in for half of my lifetime.and yet i stood upon these cliffs, emotionless to it all. was it numbness? or maybe i was just tired of being the hero? the world below burned topaz, the seemingly infinite jellyfish-like monsters flew across the land.surely, people are being killed every moment."what was the point of it all?" you asked the question in my stead. i turned to you, just as you turned to me. we had been standing here for - who knows how long - in utter silence as the world met its end.i've tried everything. i tried to give a shit about this world. i tried to save it just as you wanted me to. but what did that cost me?my friends. people i've grown attached to. they were all dead. if i dared to close my eyes, i could see her. blood mixing into the color of her hair as she yelled to run the other way. i had no choice, even though i clearly knew she would fall to her condition not ten minutes later."the world ended anyway." i finished your statement, calmly sitting down on the earthly soil as another shockwave shook the land."easy for you to say, o warrior of light." you smiled, insincere.you…you, who appeared out of the blue one day at the doors of the rising stones, in a fit i've never seen you wear, wielding a bow i've never seen you hold. you, whose left eye shared the same hue of teal as me, yet your right one was now coated in the red of blood, glowing an even brighter crimson than my own.you, who disappeared from my life more than a decade ago, which i then spent looking for, only for you to suddenly pop back in without warning.you, who started all this, who dragged me by the hand out into the world beyond our humble village.you.. you were not my sister. else- why did you have such a sad look in your eyes? isn't this what you wanted to see?no- no. these aren't my thoughts. i wouldn't think-"you can stop denying who i am, y'know." as if you were reading my thoughts, you sighed. "that expression on your face pains me. i've been searching for a way to you for years, 'course i would look a little different, don’t cha think?" you smirked. i let out a grumble, muttering how it wasn't the time for jokes. then again... was there still any other time than now?*"in any case..." gingerly, you stepped closer, crouching down beside me, head tilted towards the burning eorzea. i followed your gaze. in that moment, it felt like…it felt like we were looking at this scene for the last time, together."koo." your voice broke; the first hint of emotion from you on this night. "after.. all that has happened.." my grip tightened around the soil. you were never the type to get sentimental.i'm proud to have called you my brother.just like that, you were gone. no particles, no feathers, nothing, like we were back to square one; like you never existed. i always knew, y'know? that you never truly came back. that you were just imagination made manifest.but, i held onto those words.i finally stood up. as i stepped over the broken glaives that laid on the earth, my claymore manifested in my hand. i dragged the weapon across the ground, a voice echoing in the back of my mind that i chose to ignore.i feel the stir of dark arts within.. what was i still living for, you would have asked. nothing. i had nothing left to lose. if anything, it was the last hope of everyone that i've lost. it was a last ditch effort, as you would have called it.—
in these last moments, i thought of us.. of your face when we finally reunited.. of my promise of meeting again.. of your pleas across the rift.. of our linked hands when we stepped off the boat....'koo, are you alright..?'i'm slowly, slowly losing myself. all that i am.. all that i've become...'koo, you're crying in your sleep...'

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Origins

the crunching of leaves below two sets of footsteps. the whistling of the wind through the branches atop.“oh, what do we have here?” a blue-haired miqo’te steps into the clearing. sunlight hits a broken cement wall, where she walks closer to inspect.“sis, it’s- a whole village.” the younger red-head speaks up, a few feet ahead, overlooking the wall. she went to join him, and stood in shock at the sight.broken husks of structures that stretched across the area. debris all over the ground. there were black marks on the walls that seemed like soot and ash markings. it was evident – and both had come to the same conclusion – that this settlement must have burned down at some point in time.the siblings look on in awe, before lix breaks the tension with “how many people do you think lived here?”koo finally moves from his spot, walking towards what seemed like the village square. “i’d wager around the same as ours.”“i wonder if they managed to escape and live. we are in the middle of nowhere in the south of new world after all.”the younger responds with a hum, before a shine within the corner of a destroyed house catches his eye. without waiting for lix, he goes towards it, careful to step around the rubble.“wow, scavenging already without me?” she calls from behind, followed by her footsteps.his instincts weren't wrong; there is something valuable here. a wooden box with ornate details laid atop a slightly scorched barrel, seemingly having suffered little scratches from the assumed burning incident. curious, koo picks it up.only for a piece of paper to fall out of it, along with a patch of wood scraps. ah, it must have been so old that the wood within was starting to crumble; the entire bottom side wasn't even attached anymore. he puts the box back where it was, then bends to pick up the piece of paper.it wasn't just any paper – as he would find out when he flipped it around. it’s a photo; a very old one. its colors have all but partially faded, but it's still clear enough to figure out what it is a photo of.“did you find something?” lix appears from behind out of nowhere, “because i didn't.”“well- a photo.”“ooh! lemme see!” she peeks around him. “hmm… is this.. a family picture?”koo had the same thought. within the picture was a family of miqo’tes, seemingly a tribe of them. the man sitting in the middle was probably the nunh, while a couple women stood next to him. they all had a child each, either being carried or standing around their respective mother. all of them had red colored hair.yet another seeker of the sun tribe. neither koo nor lix would ever experience or understand this lifestyle, both being adopted since they were toddlers. although it made them unique from the rest, every time koo heard of these tribes, be it through tales or seeing them on his adventures, a part of him wishes he could have had at least a taste of that life; if only so they wouldn't be alienated by their own race. but then…“wait- koo, isn't this child…” lix’s voice broke his train of thoughts, her finger pointing at one of the miqo’te children, “you?”“what?”“yeah, look!” she stood closer next to him now, “the color of the eyes – if you look hard enough – red on the right and teal on the left! those are your eye colors! and the red hair-” she looks up at him. “you see it right? it’s you!”her excitement made him concentrate on the child in the picture that was being held in his mother’s arms. indeed, with the very faint colors the photo had, the child did have the same eyes that koo has. but how could this be? how much of a coincidence would this be - if he had actually circled back to his place of birth?no, wait. he remembers this. the fire. a woman’s voice. the aftermath. the man saying no one made it out… it all matched up.“how nice…” her voice trickles into his thoughts again. lix wasn't looking at the photo anymore, searching through other pieces of rubble. “you finally got a hint of your origin, huh?”he doesn't respond, hinting he’ll scavenge elsewhere instead.—the crackling of the campfire. the light of the flames reflecting on the ground and the trees. a swing of the rapier.“are you still looking at the picture?” lix pauses in her rapier practice, shooting a glance at her brother, who indeed still had the photo in his hands. but his mind is elsewhere, clearly indicated by his lack of response.she sighs; she’s seen him going into a trance like this many times. putting away her weapons, she walks towards the log he is sitting on and places herself next to him. then, a pat on the shoulder, and the boy’s back in reality with a jump. it still makes her laugh.“wh- sis? oh what- what time is it?”“don’t worry, you didn't miss much. i was just asking if you were gonna put that photo down.”“oh… right.” koo looks down at it again, but his grip on it has softened. “i was just… thinking about something.”“oh i know.” she leans back on the log, turning her gaze to the fire. “it must be a whiplash to suddenly learn about a part of your childhood that you had no idea of.”he hums a reply.“in a way, i'm envious.”“…why?”“well- our births had always been a mystery, both to us and to mama and papa. but with this photo, it’s solid proof that you are native to new world, and that you were once in a tribe, no matter how brief. me? there’s nothing out there about me.” she takes a deep breath. “and who knows? maybe your birth parents – your tribe – they might have made it out alive! we could find them-”“that’s not possible.” koo cut her off with such firm it left her stunned. “they didn't – they couldn't be alive.”“…how would you know for sure?”“because i remember.” he exhales. “i remember… the fires.. the screaming.. a woman- my mother.. hiding me in a box and telling me to stay quiet… waking up to the aftermath.. i was told no one else lived – that i was the only survivor… it's the only thing i remember until i saw you for the first time... Sorry, I wasn't sure if I should tell you this...”he trails off, and silence follows. it felt like a whole minute of nothing but the fire crackling, before she whispers, “i’m sorry.”a soft laugh. “why are you apologizing?”“just…” her fingers had subconsciously gripped together without her noticing. she fidgets, trying to find the words, a sinking feeling in her heart. “you could have led such a different life. if that didn't happen, if none of that happened, you could have been living a peaceful life, even now, with your birth tribe. you could have had blood brothers and sisters, you wouldn't have had me as a replacement…” tears collect in her eyes. jeez, this must’ve been the most heartfelt she’s been since returning to the source.“…i disagree.” koo responds simply. the photo leaves his hands for once as he puts it down next to him, before turning his body so he is fully facing her. he grabs one of her hands, separating them, and putting it in between his. sharp eyes fixated on her; he’s serious. it’s the first he’d ever done anything like this.“sis, i don't care.”“…huh?”he shakes his head. “i don't care if i could have had a completely different life. i don't care about all these ‘what if’s. rather, it’s thanks to all that has happened that i can appreciate this life – that i get to have the best sister anyone could ever ask for. so what if we don’t share the same blood? you are still the person that taught me the beauty of adventure, the person that brought me to see the world by hand. so, instead of apologizing, i have to thank you; for letting me be your brother.”a moment of silence, before a soft sniff slips past lix. “you… what the hell… when did you become so sentimental…” despite that, she laughs. and he laughs with her, saying that’s how he has always been.though, she kept those words close to her heart. the weight on her chest dissipated, she is quick to wipe away any tear that dared to fall, before swiftly changing the topic to their itinerary for tomorrow. as usual, koo follows without objection.perhaps, her guilt of making koo walk the path of the warrior of light could finally be eased.

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