[center]
[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
[/center]

[b][i]"RAMUH?!"[/i][/b] Famfrit spluttered incredulously at the summon's presence. [b][i]"YOU STRIKE AT A FELLOW SERVANT OF-"[/i][/b] It cut off before speaking in a far more distorted tone once more. 

[b][i]"-RUINATION, ONSLAUGHT, ABYSS!"[/i][/b] 

Bolstered by Izayoi and Miina's efforts in maintaining the storm, Esben slashed straight through Famfrit with Ramuh's full force, revealing the corroded core of aether maintaining the guardian's link to the world. Raijingeki and Galahad's halberd toss crashed into the core next. As with Leviathan, both Rudolf and Galahad's combined efforts served to form a crack in the core, Eliane's fire peppering it to weaken the aetheric binding even further.

Forced upon its last legs, Famfrit desperately tried to gather up enough aether with the last of its essence to cast one final spell. 

[b][i]"THEN SLAY ME, AND DIE IN TURN! MAY THE HEAVENS DENY YOU PASSAGE, AND HELL'S MAW SWALLOW YOU WHOLE! DARKENING RAIN-"[/i][/b]

As Famfrit attempted to unleash his spell, Chisato struck. Its core shattered, the guardian of the crystal sunk to its knees, blackened aether fading from its body in droves. Looking upon the Kirins with sober eyes for the first time in most likely years, the animated golem could only utter a few last words.

[b][i]"WARRIORS OF LIGHT...I THANK YOU FOR FREEING ME...MAY YOU EVER WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE CRYSTALS..."[/i][/b] Famfrit murmured before collapsing completely, the rest of its body fading into aether not long after. Izayoi regarded the dusty remnants for a brief moment, bowing her head before reaching into a pouch and pulling out one of the crystals that Cid had given to each of them. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Come, then. Remember what the old man bid us: raise the crystals aloft, channel aether through them, and purify the Crystal of Water therefore. Time is still of the essence."[/b][/color]

Once each Kirin had their crystal raised, their combined light crashed into the central, corrupted crystal. Slowly but surely, their radiance washed away all traces of corruption within, leaving the structure shining brilliantly. With that accomplished, they set off. There was an invasion to repel.

___

Their return to the surface of Brightlam was met with restrained jubilation by those in the know. While purifying the crystal was undoubtedly a relief for the future of Drana Asnaeu, it would all be for naught should Valheim seize the city and march downward to the temple below. 

It was a harried Zacharias that bade them to get some rest in the scant few hours that remained before the Valheimr were projected to reach the city, affording them a large side chamber in the Cathedral. Freed from her duties for the moment, Neve accompanied them, taking time to heal the wounds the Kirins had already accumulated while informing them that Cid was too busy making final preparations, though Eve had joined him within the grand hall of the Cathedral in prayer and meditation as well. 

Thus, they were free to recuperate where they could for the moment, though other distractions could be found for the more restless as well.