Cross found Clive...odd. Not a bad odd, but a good odd. The kind of odd that comes with finding a kindred spirit, but also knowing that there is something strange about him. Secrets kept in his past, perhaps, that he has yet to fully reveal -- or realize, considering the state of his memories.
His awe at riding an airship, despite knowing what they were and never having seen one fly, made Cross wonder where he had come from. His confusion at the aetheryte -- and then amazement at learning it wasn't a source of energy, but that it was a teleportation beacon.
("I...I don't believe teleportation is common, where I am from," Clive said slowly. "We likely use chocobos to travel everywhere, or moved on foot."
"Really?" Cross blinked in surprise. "You must have been quite remote, then. Aetherytes are everywhere across the star, or at least across Eorzea and Doma."
"Hm." Clive looked at the aetheryte thoughtfully.)
It wasn't until the minstrel remarked on his being another world that she could partially put a finger on what made Clive odd. And then there was the fight with Ifrit, afterwards.
("You can transform into a primal," Cross said flatly after their return to Apkallu Falls.
"Eikon," Clive corrected. "Judging by your expression, I assume Dominants aren't common here?"
"Common?" Cross shook her head. "Primals are summoned through crystals and faith, and the ritual to do so has been proven to be dangerous to the summoner. The only one who thought to summon the primal in a way that placed her as its vessel was Ysayle, when she summoned Shiva."
Cross did not miss the way Clive's breath caught. She gave him a curious look. "You...you're familiar with Shiva?"
"Yes," Clive said, voice heavy with something Cross couldn't identify. "My friend -- Jill -- is Shiva's Dominant, just as I am Ifrit's. Although...Shiva was expected. I was not."
Cross frowned.
"An explanation is likely in order," Clive grumbled. "On my world, there are supposed to be only seven Eikons -- one for each element. Phoenix for fire, Shiva for ice, Garuda for wind, Titan for earth, Ramuh for levin, Leviathan the Lost for water, Odin for darkness, and Bahamut for light. There can only be one of each at a time, and when one Dominant dies, someone of their blood in the next generation is chosen as the new one. A second Eikon of fire -- Ifrit -- is not only unexpected, but impossible."
Cross couldn't imagine it. Seven people -- now eight -- at any given moment, capable of transforming into a primal whenever they pleased, without the repercussions of tempering. "Your world is very different from ours. Primals represent a deity of a given group or region; I have seen many that share elements with others, or even combine elements together. There is a settlement to the north made up of vilekin-like beings, and their primal is fire and earth-aspected. Another far to the east is water and levin-aspected."
"Truly?" Clive's eyebrows shot up. "To my ears, that sounds almost too good to be true."
"I would show you myself, but not only has primal summoning fallen out of favor with those once afflicted with tempering, but you also have a place where you are needed." Cross looked at the wolf Clive had summoned from the aether, after destroying Ifrit.
"...yes, that would likely be the wiser course of action.")
They discussed their worlds similarities and differences on the way back to the Burning Wall. Learning of some of each other's hardships and how Cross overcame hers seemed to lighten burdens and strengthen what they already carried with them.
(Petting Torgal along the way was a delight. Cross made sure Clive knew he had a very kind and loyal companion.)
When they send Clive home, Cross makes it a point to grab hold of him and offer a beacon. If there is a chance, and their words are connected, perhaps she could be called to his world to offer aid.
("There's no confirming that this will work," Cross said. "But I feel like having it as an offer of assistance will help you in some way."
Clive closed his hand over the half-formed crystal. "Thank you. Even if it will not work on my return, the offer is appreciated.")
The gift of a wolf mount so similar to Torgal after Clive left was a welcome delight.
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Am I the only one bothered by how early this FFXVI collab event is? And how it would spoil a whole lot for players like myself who are waiting for PC release and trying very hard to avoid all spoilers in the mean time?
The original FFXV collab event was a whole 3 years after its console release, and 1 whole year after PC release, which gave us more than enough time to play the game and actually grow to love it and get real excited about the collab. And probably got Square more buyers after the hype petered out.
but a collab event the very same year of release? What's the goal here Square? Need even more players to buy your game? the PC release is going to help with that very soon! What's the rush?
I just really wish I could enjoy this collab story after having grown to love the world and spent at least 100+ hours in it, as god intended... but instead I'm skipping scenes and playing it with my eyes closed just to get the cute doggo that I know I'm going to fall in love with for sure... in about a year from now.
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