Taking prompt #26 from the 2018 FFXIV Writes Challenge – Not A Weapon

 

“Here,” the Warrior of Light held a mug out to the young elezen, a gentle curl of steam rising up into the night air.

“What is it?” Alphinaud asked, taking it anyway and sniffing.

“Mulled fruit punch.”

“Alcoholic?”

“Only a splash.”

He blew on the surface of the liquid, and took a sip, “That’s rather good. An old Ala Mhigan recipe?”

“I have no idea, I just asked for something warm.”

Alphinaud smiled, curling his hands around the cup, “I appreciate it.”

“I think you’ve earned it, after all the sleuthing and running around you did today…and shrieking.”

His ear tips went bright red and he spluttered slightly, “I have already remarked, that I would find it a kindness if you did not refer to that…lapse in judgment!”

“At least you didn’t have to swim,” Iscara teased him, before giving in, “I kid Alph, I kid. Teasing aside, I am happy that you joined us in this little adventure. It wasn’t all that long ago that you would have turned up your nose to chasing rumours of treasure.”

Alphinaud paused for a moment, looking up at the warrior, “I’ve…the hardships we’ve faced, the trials we’ve overcome, and the victories won, they’ve all taught me more than I ever thought I would learn in this land. You’ve taught me more than I ever would have believed. When I think back on how I was…I’m glad. Glad that you bore with me, glad that I can now call you friend, rather than just thinking of you as a weapon, a tool to be used. You are not a weapon.”

“I’m not just a weapon.”

The elezen frowned, looking up at her over the rim of the mug.

“When you said that, calling me a ‘Weapon of Light’, there was something I wanted to say to you, but I knew you wouldn’t understand it.”

“How about now?”

“Now. Now I think I can say that you’re wrong both times. I’m not that I am a weapon. It’s not that I’m not a weapon. I’m the warrior of light, and part of that is fighting, sometimes a large part. I can swing battles just with my presence, defeat beings thought of as gods, I can become stronger when I need to, because the work never stops. But as well as that, I inspire people. I bring hope. I laugh, I cry, I hurt, but above all, I love. Do you see what I’m saying?”

Alphinaud had the cup between his hands, thumbing the sides gently as he thought, looking up at his friend, “You…you choose to be a weapon when the need arises. Because you know you can be. Because…you want to be, for us.”

She gave him a proper smile, “I’m proud of you Alphinaud. And proud to be your friend.”

He ducked his head, desperately trying to hide his red cheeks, “Thank you, Iscara. And thank you, for sharing that with me.”

The tall Hyur reached over, gently pulling the shorter man into a hug and gave him a brief squeeze, “You earned it.”