Work Text:
Even in death she sat on the ground gracefully. Just as beautiful as the first day she saw her, if not more, now knowing this is Venat’s transformation. The first time that Spirra had met Venat in Elpis she was caught off guard by how lively she was. Taking down a huge shark creation, laughing at the stubborn antics of Emet-Selch and the jokes of Hythlodaeus. Hearing Venat laugh for the first time was like hearing hope enter her heart again. She loved her. After the incident with Hermes and his transformation, she could only guess what Venat’s transformation could’ve been. She knew that Venat would have wings, and a smile that was bright as it was warm, but the halo was not expected. Venat… Hydaelyn is beautiful.
She knew that Hydaelyn was talking to her as she stood there, but the words weren’t registering. Spirra was tired of seeing her friends, her loved ones, sacrifice themselves for the future. That's why she decided to be reckless and try her chances as she always does.
Following the clang of her sword and shield Spirra rushed forward and wrapped her arms over Hydaelyn’s neck, hugging her tightly. The goddess stiffened briefly before returning the hug in earnest, feeling the tears of her old new friend fall on her shoulder.
“I know why you did this, why it had to be this way, but please Venat…” Spirra’s voice breaks and her breath shutters at the name, tears flowing with no signs of stopping.
“Shh, Spirra, you have come a long way since Elpis, seeing you grow through the ages and fight for Etheiryis. I hate to see you like this, I hate that I made you feel like this…Since the day you left I had spent more time with Azem and after the Final days, I witnessed you, all of you and I ended up falling for you, over and over and over again. With each reincarnation just burning brighter and more wonderful. I was never able to tell you back then, to you, Azem, but thank you my love, for being my bright light in this sea of darkness. For giving me hope.”
Spirra pulled back to wipe her tears and look at Venat one more time. She grabbed her cheek before closing her eyes and closing in the distance with the first and final kiss between them. It was blissful as they melted into it and their surroundings blurring into nothingness. That didn’t last for long as their audience made themselves known with a chorus of startled coughs and gasps.
Spirra has been aching to do this since Elpis, and Venat was just as eager to return the love. Venat was not surprised by her forwardness, Azem loved to make her blush whenever they could back in the day of eld.
Finally breaking from their kiss, Spirra’s voice was barely above a whisper, “The Aetherial Sea does wonders with one's memories, even before death”. There was a gleam in Spirra's eyes when she opened them again that shocked Venat. A dull golden hue she thought was lost replaced her usual Heterochromia.
The others behind Spirra couldn’t hear her, and thankfully couldn’t not see the face that Venat made. The realization and familiarity that she saw in Spirra’s face. All they know is that their friend, Hydaelyn’s Champion, had kissed Hydaelyn.
It was the first and final gift of a lover.
“Thank you, for everything, may we meet again and hear the world sing together, Venat.”
Spirra left her wordless as she stepped back to rejoin her comrades, golden hue fading as she walked.
Venat closed her eyes and composed herself before speaking.
“My children.. my love. Take these gifts and go, save this Star. The Mothercrystal should contain more than enough aether to fuel travel and end the Final Days permanently. Stay safe, and thank you.” The aetherial sea claimed her as she fractured and dissolved into pure aether, long awaited had this moment been for her. No longer was she needed after all, the Star will continue to flourish without her and in her stead was her love. A mortal willing to fight for the Star and hear it sing, feel the warmth it brings.
—-----------------------------------
The Scions held a moment of silence before heading back. Tears were shed by all. The goddess that gave them a chance to live was dead. By their own hands and by her own request, one of the final trials to save the Star.
The journey back to the mortal realm was filled with many thoughts of what had just occurred and the events that awaited them. But that was nothing compared to the single thought that plagued the Scion’s minds.
Beating Thancred to the punch, Y'shtola asked first, “Well, I’ve never seen you behave with such… Vigor. Anything you forgot to tell us during your time in Elpis, Spirra?”
The chuckle that came out of her was one of mischievous joy. “Well, not as much as the love birds of the Scions do,” she tossed a knowing grin to Urianger and Thancred who sputtered and protested
“Oh please don’t deny it you two. Ever since we were at the First you two have been much, much closer. That and we’ve all caught you two kissing or tossing certain looks plenty of times.” Everyone nodded and agreed with what Alisaie said. The lovers were easily caught despite both being knowledgeable in subterfuge.
“Wait, when did this turn to us?! Y’shtola asked Spirra a question, not us!” Thancred with all his might lost the battle with his composure as he pointed at Spirra.
She laughed and continued on in silence with a smirk. It wasn’t until they neared the entrance of the aether sea when she finally spoke.
“The aetherial sea is an amazing conduit. Technically speaking, soul wise I’m close to that of an Ascian, or mankind of eld due to events in the First. With that being said certain memories of ages past awoken.” She let her statement sink in before continuing. “There was something I didn’t get a chance to do when I went to Elpis, so I made up for lost time. I don’t prefer an audience or I might’ve done more”
She left her friends stunned in silence as she exited the Aetherial Sea first. The twins shared a slight blush with the implications that were made, and the rest stood with varying looks of confusion and pride.
“I mean, it's not shocking,” Estinein said, gathering everyone's attention. “Our dear friend has a bit of a mean streak when it comes to leaving many wordless one way or another. Especially if the rumors about what occurred in Ala Mhigo are true.”
The twins' blush came roaring back as they remembered the rumor that he spoke of. Afterall whenever someone asked Spirra about it all she would do was smirk and wink before leaving the area. But by the time the rest joined her back in the mortal realm, the twins' blush was calmed but still present. While their father made no mention of it then, he did notice how neither of his children could look Spirra in the eyes over the next few days.