How do you kill a Startouch elf?

I've started asking myself this question ever since Viren got away. We know we need to kill Aaravos.

But how?

We arrive home in Katolis that same night, the Dragon Queen returning us safely on her back. Maybe it's morning my now, I realise, as the sky seems to lighten. Far out I'm tired. My bruised joints left me unable to find comfort. However, Soren, Callum and Rayla snoozed their way into a catnap - the former leaned up against me. He's warm. Soren is always warm.

Ezran stayed awake. I could tell there was something on his mind.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I inquired.

His once furrowed brows had softened. "We need to do something, (Y/n)," was his reply.

I understood the basis of his words, there's a lot of shit we need to do. Shower is a main thought on my mind. So I questioned him further.

"Aaravos," he made clear.

How do you kill a Startouch elf?

First, you find out where they are.

"Zubeia mentioned that other Archdragons knew of Aaravos," I mumbled. "They could help us find him." Once I saw Ezran's eyes light up at the comment, I knew we had a journey ahead of us.

I just wanted a shower first.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When we land in town square, I jog to my room, strip down, and get into the shower.

The hot water is glorious at first, to have soap again. That is until it trickles over calloused hands. I wait for the expected sting as water rushes over open wounds, but I look down to realise they have healed over.

Faint, glossy white strokes remain.

"You'll go on to help many people, (Y/n)"

The thought of Runaan is bittersweet. Knowing how he is so close. But at the same time, so far.

We spend 3 days at home. The Kingdom is bustling with people upon their King's arrival. It's good to see Opeli again. I respect her deeply for looking after this place.

It's extremely exciting to see Beth and Thiago. They seem so happy together. Some simple girl gossip is well overdue.

On our third day back we have a council meeting. It's... good. Ezran makes clear that we needs to find the Archdragon of the Ocean.

Him and Callum have obviously done some research, since he motions to a large box in the corner of the room. It is clear to me that Callum will sit this adventure out. I know deep down it's because of Rayla.

Ezran stands, and gives us all a choice in the matter, if we want to join him and the Dragon Queen. He asks Soren first, to which my partner glances at me, before standing, undoubtedly agreeing to stay by Ezran's side.

As the two if them are standing, I feel Ezran's gaze so I look up at him. "I'll give you another minute to think, (Y/n)," he smiles. I'm thankful that Soren is smiling at me too.

Over these past theee days, those cursed coins have wracked the forefront of Rayla's mind. Her parents are trapped.

Runaan is trapped.

Corvus' chair scraps against the ground as he stands, pledging to join his King, I expect nothing less from the man. When the council finally looks at me again, I plaster on a smile. "You'll find me at your side once again, King Ezran," I promise as I get to my feet. Ultimately the choice is simple. I trust Rayla and her abilities - plus, Callum will be with her. I need to stay with Ezran because he is, not only, my King, but first and foremost a friend.

"So it's decided!" The young King declares. "I'll go let Zubeia know," he pushes in his chair before heading towards the doors. "She's been resting today so we can leave as soon as the sun begins to set!"

Soren pushes in his own seat, before coming around and doing the same to mine. I mouth a thank you as we walk out the door but he merely shakes his head. His arm snakes around my waist as he whispers in my ear, "no, thank you. We get to go on another maybe slightly dodgy mission together."

We pause outside the doors. "How exciting," I grin.

"Doya want me to walk you home, m'lady?" Soren runs a finger along the armour on my triceps. His chambers are to the left, while mine are to the right.

I do like that nickname of his. "I think I'll make it there safely," I say, remembering to add another thank you. Soren leans down to plant a kiss on my forehead before heading off to his room. As I walk through the halls towards my own door, I bump into a person I least expect.

River.

I hope he's not offended as I take a double look at him - I don't know why he's returned from the Sunfire Elve's camp so soon.

And he looks... different. He has always been a 'put together' approachable, intelligent looking kind of guy, but something has weathered him. He has let his deep black hair grow out over this short time away. Stubble clings to his jaw and it makes his green eyes look even deeper.

"River," I exhale finally, happy to see him no matter why he's here... but still curious.

"(Y/n)," his eyes light up. "It's good to see you're back." There's an awkward pause between us, unsure if we should shake hands, go in for a hug or end the conversation.

We do none of the above.

"Are Amaya and Janai back too?" I'm sure Ezran and Callum would've told us but I inquire nonetheless.

"Oh, no, no, just... me" he stumbles over the words as if reliving his return. I give him a moment since he looks like he wants to say something further. "My parents sent for me, by crow," he confirms before clarifying, "I return back to the camp in a day or two." I open my mouth to ask how come ? But he reads my mind. "They want me to marry."

As if on queue, I hear footsteps coming from the direction of my room. Peering around River's form, I see it.

Her.

"Oh darling," Dalia chimes, strutting up to River's side. Still in her uniform. Still under Soren's command. The thought puts me at ease. When we lock eyes, flames burn within hers. "(Y/n)," she spits. "I hope'd you died."

I watch River's fingers clench into a fist. I don't know his family situation, but this is enough to tell me his parents are cruel. 

Thinking about a final shower before we leave, I step around River. I don't need a conversation with that bitch right now. "I'm sorry," I murmur, my hand grazing over his forearm.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My hair is still wet so I tie it back into 2 braids before putting my gear on.

Walking down the back steps, I see Zubeia waiting patiently in the field. She looks absolutely beautiful as the evening sun reflects off her scales.

"Need a hand?" I call out, watching Corvus and Soren struggle to lift Ezran's large box.

"No it's fine!" Soren calls.

"Yes we do!" Corvus counteracts instantly.

"I'll go get Callum and Rayla as you guys do that," Ezran suggests and I'm glad we will get to say goodbye before we head off.

"Now, (Y/n)," Corvus strains, hoisting the box to his chest. "Hop up on Soren's shoulders and pull it up."

"Gotcha," I confirm before walking over and proceeding, to clamber up Soren's back.

Easy stuff.

Once the three of us are finally seated on Zubeia's back, Ezran walks back into view, with two familiar faces trailing him.

I glance at Soren and Corvus, receiving a small nod from both, and I slide off the Dragon Queen. I land steadily before crashing into Rayla's body.

"Have fun," she murmurs into my shoulder, squeezing a little bit tighter.

"You too," I say, before putting her at arms length. "Keep them safe." She knows I'm talking about the coins and gives me a soft smile.

I turn to hug Callum as well. "I think we will go to the Sunfire Elves camp at some point," he mentions and I take note. There's a final moment of understanding passed between us before Zubeia suggests it's time to leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the first hour or so, Soren and I are the only ones left awake. We are laying down, parallel to each other, our eyes gazing into the depth of stars. It's silent. It's nice. But I can't help the worlds that blurt out of me.

"You'll never guess who River is engaged to." When I turn sideways, Soren is quirking his brow at me. Then a smirk eases into his lips but when I keep my serious tone, he stops the smile.

"Who?"

"Remember that girl," I say, knowing he might have forgotten her name, "who was really creepily helping your fath-" his face falters, "Viren, especially when he was in the cell and then on the way into Xadia-"

"Dalia," the name is just a whisper on his tongue. I grin softly at the fact that he has remembered her name. "A bitch like that makes quite the expression," he mocks, reading my thoughts.

"You could definitely say that." I fix my gaze back on the sky.

"But why?" Soren asks. "He is so nice, and she is so... not."

"Some people are just stuck in the wrong day and age," I reply, knowing it's true. The idea of a parent being so controlling is confusing to me. Then again, Viren is a fucking asshole.

Then Soren says something bolder than I would've expected. "I hope he walks away from it." I smile the comment. "It can be hard... but if you've got the right people supporting you," his hand grasps mine, "they become the only thing that matters."

I squeeze his fingers tighter.

Amen to that.

       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apparently it started raining near the tail end of our flight - I slept through the peaceful pitter patter when the others woke. However, then the small droplets turned into a lightening storm. I'm definitely awake now.

We are soaked basically.

I spot the rocks at a distance - a structure among them. As we approach, Soren and Corvus offer to carry down the box, but I can't concentrate on the current game plan. My eyes are fixed to the oval-like structure in the middle of this sea.

It's incredible.

Intricate details weave their way around the sides. As we get closer, it reminds me almost of a clam shell. Fitting. The top of it gleams with water and sparks dance as lightening strikes fly.

Probably not the best place to be in a storm, but we hop down nonetheless.

We begin walking the narrow ledge of rocks to get towards the form, Ezran and I leading the way whilst Zym takes the rear. The other two are in the middle, Soren holding its front and Corvus clutching the back. Wind howls dramatically. A large wave heads our way and I grab Ezran's shoulders when it crashes down on us. For his stability or my own, I'm not sure.

"At least we can't get any wetter," I murmur.

Soren chuckles and leans into my ear, "I'll make you wetter," he muses.

I exclaim at the unexpected comment, shuffling Ezran forward as he doesn't need to be hearing any of that.

When we get inside this building there is finally some relief from the rain. Salty stickiness lingers on the skin underneath my armour. I haven't had much experience with the ocean. And this is currently uncomfortable.

Corvus groans at the sight of the many stairs ahead.  I'm really glad I'm not carrying that thing now. I don't think my legs would take this climb.

     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even without the burden of weight to carry, my legs are sore as we reach the top. But no time to wait. Although I do need to take a second to appreciate this view. Holy shit. Absolutely gorgeous. The boys place the box on the ground as they approach the middle of this flooring. I watch eagerly as they open the box - knowing what it is (in general) but having never seen it before.

Nothing prepares me for this hunk of a gemstone.

It takes on a pale cerulean tone, but glows brightly on its own accord. That thing must be heavy. It's about the size Bait, no joke. Soren and I exchange glances, both wondering are you seeing this?

I mean, I shouldn't expect any less. This stone does connect us to the Archdragon of the Ocean.

So cool.

Ezran lifts the stone, his gentle whispering touch making sure to handle it with care. We watch our King climes some more steps up to a platform. The smaller structures up there looking like ancient ruins. I'm amazed by the large shells that surround it. Ezran places the gem in the area he should.

And we wait. 

The air is tense. We don't dare breathe out of fear or messing up the mechanism. Rain continues to pour and I wipe my face, sending droplets to the floor.

Suddenly, metal clangs.

The stone seems to latch into place.

Then, it glows.

Not in the way it did before, but with this new raw energy that I could only relate to full moon celebrations at Silvergrove.

Wind courses through the largest shell and an echoing horn noise is released.

A beam of blue and white light ignites and shoots directly up into the air.

It disappears into the clouds above as we are stare. The ocean is rough beneath us. We await something amazing.

And nothing happens.

~~~