[[Hello everyone. This collection is an idea I had some time ago, and that for many reasons I didn't get to put down until now (The final fight with Promathia came a lot earlier than I had expected). Those Left Behind is a series of one-shots about the dear ones our brave heroes left in Vana'diel. Everyone owning secondary characters that fall in that category are welcome to join. Simply put the tag "[Collection] Those Left Behind -" before the title.

This is my chapter. It takes place a couple days after we left for Tavnazia. At that time we were presumably attempting to activate the tower devices to access Hu'xzoi.]]

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The firework soared to the sky with a loud whistling sound before it exploded in a multitude of red and golden sparkles, shaping a sunflower. Two other followed, this time of golden and silver colors and exploded into serpentine spires to the side of the first firework as it slowly faded. Many exclamations of awe, joy and excitement reached Kjara's ears at the top of the keep where she was standing.

Next to her on a battlement, Azure grunted and crawled in a circle to shift uncomfortably his sleep position, disturbed by the noise. His cerulean tail twitched unnervingly at every explosion. He wasn't the most passionated festival lover.

The elvaan smiled softly at the wyvern, and let out a silent sigh before her eye slowly shifted to the right as the calm, familiar sound of footsteps came from the staircase in the tunnel that led down to the city. After a few seconds, the silver-haired elvaan man appeared. He was wearing commoners clothes. His friar robe had been long abandoned now, and like her he certainly wasn't in the mood to go find himself an extravagant yukata.

- Enjoying the fireworks? - He asked, ironic but also with no real mischief in his voice while stopping next to her to look at the view.

She let out a noise that was almost a sneer and also a snort, yet neither of them. - You'd think that maybe we should, more than most… knowing what's going on. It could be our last chance.

She glanced at him and Lotrulien gave a small, sad smile. Then they looked at the fireworks, in silence for many minutes. Joy was but an unreachable dream, no matter how hard they'd wish to feel it.

Kjara felt terribly uneasy at that thought, and looked away. - So, what did Ayuki want from you? I thought she had already fulfilled her vows.

Lotrulien took a few moments to reply. - She wanted to pray. She said she couldn't find the words anymore.

The dragoon looked up at him again, with a flicker of emotion. - Were you able to find them for her?

He shook his head. - It was a prayer that only one can know. But I think now her soul is going in the right direction to find it… I'm sure Altana will hear her.

- And whose side do you think Altana will take this time?

- …. Please, do not challenge my Faith now. I never needed to believe as today before.

- I'm sorry. - Kjara looked down to the streets. - I'm just trying… to push back this overwhelming regret within.

The former cleric looked at her. - Regret?

- I don't really want to use you to confess anymore, Lotrulien. - Kjara shifted with an irritated frown.

He shook his head just once. - Then just tell me. Not as your confessor, but as who I am to you now. Will you?

She sighed, and glanced to the lower left. - I just know… That while someone like Ayuki may be unable to find the words to say, he… he knows the words he wants to say, all too well, but cannot let them out.

Lotrulien followed her gaze, and finally spotted Zenji. The blond hume was leaning against a tree in Victory Square. Even from that distance, Lotrulien could see the dead gaze of the young man, staring into space, completely absent and unaware of all the happiness and serenity surrounding him. His arms were limp to his sides, one hand's fingertips caressing unconsciously the handle of the gun latched to his leg.

- Look at him, Lotrulien… it's like he could shoot himself any moment. - Kjara gritted teeth to ferociously push back a choking feeling in her throat. - … I should've forced him to come with me in Tavnazia… to go see him at least one more time.

- I'm sure they will be back. - Much to Kjara's surprise, there was no uncertainty this time in the man's voice. She looked at him with a questioning frown, and he continued. - I do not need to believe in Altana to know this.

- Then… what makes you so confident?

- Their bond. You taught this to me, Kjara. - Lotrulien looked at Zenji again. - You, Azure, them… and me. I have learned the meaning of true loyalty and love from all of you. I am sure, that if Janus had felt even just for a moment that he wouldn't come back from this battle, he would've come to look for his brother. And Samuel feels the same. This is why he refused to go to see him.

He looked at Kjara, but she didn't say anything. Her amber eye was staring at him, exploring him like the suspicious and inquisitive woman she had always been.

- Samuel may no longer speak, but he was an upcoming bard, remember that. I believe their kin, more than anybody else, can hear the voice of one's soul. The words that we cannot speak. The words that we cannot think. The words that only our heart can know, and the only ones that may reach the Gods. It is with that voice that the most sincere feelings are communicated, with no bonds of race, language, or distance. - continued Lotrulien. - I see it between you and Azure every day. And despite their conflict, I see it between Samuel and Janus, even now.

- Then why does he look so devastated…? - She asked almost in a whisper. She hated to let her guard down, to show the weakness of her heart. To lose confidence and feel lost. But if there was someone she felt safe to show that side of her to, that was the man next to her now. - It pains me to see him like that.

- I think he just wishes he could do something to help. I believe… he's listening.

- To the voice of the soul?

Lotrulien nodded, and Kjara let out a long sigh of relief and yet pain. After several more minutes, he spoke again. - … Am I… Am I holding you back?

The dragoon raised her head to look at him. - How do you…?

- I could never forgive myself if I were keeping you from… - He trailed off. - … Do you feel like you are in the wrong place, Kjara?

She didn't reply, and her thoughtful frown worried the ex-cleric. She seemed to be questioning herself, as if she hadn't asked that to her heart before. About six more fireworks were shot in the air, before she shook her head.

- No. I'm where I am supposed to be. Where I want to be. I'm…

- … 'here, fighting the minions of the Wyrmking, and protecting the peace of ungrateful and unaware people so they can enjoy the festival'?

Kjara blinked at the mockery, and looked again at Lotrulien with an arched eyebrow. She was glad to see the shadow of a smile in his lips though, and she felt one reaching hers too. - Yes, that may be what my voice would say.

- And what would the soul of your voice say, instead…?

- Just 'Home'.