Mysidia. The city-state founded by Sage Sakura, her home, her pride. Sage Sakura could never have enough of pacing up and down the country, her country. The heart of the city-state, the shorelines, the Tower of Mysidia, the plain, the woods. Today she had business in the woods. Indeed, once a week, she was paying a visit to the Pochads to maintain Mysidia peaceful relationship with its beastribe. After spending a pleasant moment with them, she rode back with her chocobo to the heart of the city state. Her chocobo stopped in the middle of the road. Something caught its attention, food maybe? Sakura stopped a moment in order to check what was going on. At her biggest surprise, she saw a baby, completely alone. The baby wasn’t even crying, just playing with the leafs on the ground. Sakura approached the baby delicately then carried them. She looked around if she could see anyone or anything, only a blanket stained by blood. Horrified that the baby was injured, she checked carefully to see if there were any scratches on the baby's body. Fortunately, there was no traces of blood on the baby. Assuming the baby was cold, she covered them with the clean part of the blanket. She had an insight of embroideries, it was written Elena. “Elena?” Sakura whispered to the baby tenderly. She reacted with a cute babble. Unexpectedly filled by emotion, Sakura mechanically repeated Elena’s name several time, caressing her noticeable soft blue hair. The baby girl was getting comfortable, babbling with a noticeable joy, certainly happy to have be found. Gently, Sage Sakura put her forehead against Elena’s one and cradled her. The Sage felt overwhelmed by the desire to protect the little blue baby girl. “I’m taking her home with me.”

Once back in the Tower of Mysidia, Sakura dedicated all her time to Elena. She throw away her dirty clothes and washed her. She decided to keep the woolen blanket, sole clue in her possession to the search for Elena's missing parents. How could she dress this very cute and cheerful baby ? She didn’t have much so she gave her one her top. Of course it was way too large for little Elena, which did not escape her notice. She laughed even more as she tried to crawl on the floor, which amazed Sage Sakura. She couldn't wait to share her discovery of the day with her friend and confidant Nichol. She summoned him in the Tower of Mysidia.

“Nichol ! I have found a baby in the woods! On my way back to the Pochads today. She was all alone on the ground. I decided to take her with me. I just couldn't leave her there.” Sage Sakura narrated to Nichol in a very animated voice how she found Elena in the woods

Very stoic by nature, Nichol nonetheless had an amused smile as he listened to Sakura's story. It had been a long time since he had seen her so enthusiastic. She was obviously very attached to the baby already. Eager to know more about this mysterious baby, he questioned his friend. “A baby ? Is the baby okay ?”  

 “Yes, Elena is okay.” smiled Sakura with a non dissimulated joy in her face.  

 “You named her Elena, sweet name." 

 “No it was written on her blanket.” sneered Sakura proudly showing the wooled blanket. Feeling a bit awkward, Nichol had an uneased smiled which both them laugh.

Still observing Elena playing, Sakura's face darkened. She expressed to Nichol her great concern about Elena's parents. The blood on the blanket must have belonged to them. They were evidently injured and hiding somewhere. Perhaps there was still time to rescue them. Someone had to stay with Elena, but Nichol could search for the sweet baby girl's parents.

“I need you to investigate on her parents. Who they are, where do they live and bring them to me. The blood on Elena’s blanket probably belong to them, they might be injured. Also can you buy a couple of dress to her along with other baby clothes ? She needs to be changed.”

“Yes, Master Sakura.” he bowed to her they walked out of the Tower of Mysidia.

***

Only a week had passed since Sage Sakura brought baby Elena at home with her, yet this week felt like so much longer already. Elena was already very comfortable with her. She was such a joyful baby, as if her parents didn’t die, brutally murdered. Indeed, a couple of days ago, Nichol informed her that he found the dead corpses of Elena’s parents. Partially suprised, she was still very sadden by the news. Elena couldn't walk yet so she was most likely less than one year old and already orphan. Caressing the baby girl's face with the tip of her finger, she recalled that conversation with Nichol. According to his expedition in the woods, Baby Elena wasn’t at the same spot that her parents’ dead corpses. Did she crawl away? Oh Elena, what could she possibly had been through ? "My sweet little angel, what happened that day, what did you see?" Nichol came back, as discreet as usual, he silently stood behind the Sage, eyes closed whereas her eyes weren’t leaving Elena.

"I've found the murderers."

A shiver went through all her body. She clenched her right fist, digging her nails into the palm of her hand. A strong anger roared inside her. She had every intention of making them pay the hard price. The horrible butchery that Elena must have witnessed with her innocent infant eyes, because of these terrible murderers, her parents' lives taken so suddenly without her even being aware of it. It was as if Sakura felt the emotions that Elena would feel if she could. She had to avenge her.

"What are you going to do to them, Master Sakura ?" 

The only thing that made sense. "Justice." she shouted almost absent.

Sakura walked away to take Elena to her bed, she fell asleep. It was her responsibility to avenge her parents and gave her justice. She would fight this battle Elena couldn’t. These despicable people made Elena go through something very traumatic. She might have PTSD later, she would need psychological help. “Elena, I got you baby, I got you.” she kissed Elena’s cheek and delicately layed her on her bed.

***

Justice had been served. Mysidia was usually peaceful and quiet. They weren’t a lot. A group of mages on the same page, sharing the same mindset. Sage Sakura built this city state centuries ago now but there was still so much to improve. The life in Mysidia surroundings, the small villages further away, the Mt. Ordeal and the dreadful monsters that settled there. She had to make sure to improve the lives of the Mysidians as well to avoid tragedies such as Elena and her parents. She was alone this time, nobody from her previous circle of the 14 but she believed in herself. She already accomplished so much over the centuries, she sure had the power to overcome this.

“There is a place at the orphanage, they can welcome Elena as soon as you are ready.” Nichol informed Sage Sakura with a calm and comforting voice.

Sakura couldn’t sleep, these words were playing in my head, on repeat. So, the time had come, Elena and she, had to take different ways. This week together brought the Sage a joy she didn’t experienced in ages but Elena had to go. Tears flooded her face without she even realized, she was already so attached to her. She didn’t feel such a strong love in such a long time. Since Ayaka, her last daughter. Yes it was this kind of love.

“Elena, I want you to stay. I don’t want to say goodbye to you, not ever. Would you stay with me? Live here? Accept me as your mother? I want to be your mother. I want you to be my daughter. I don’t want to be separated from you. I love you Elena, I love you. I can’t let you go. I won’t… It would break my heart. Let me give my heart, all my love. I promise you, I will take care of you and cherish you.”

Her decision was made, Sage Sakura would adopt baby Elena.

She reunited the Mysidians in the aetherythe plaza. She floated above the Aetheryte, Elena in her arms to allow the people of Mysidia to see them both.

“People of Mysidia. Today I want to share my joy with you, beloved citizens of our beloved city-state. There is very important person for me you need to be introduced with. I’m delighted to announce you that I found love, in my daughter Elena. I have recently decided to claim her and acknowledge her as my child. Here is Elena, the daughter of Sage Sakura, leader and founder of Mysidia.”

Indescribable whispers followed her speech. She dispelled the float spell and progressively came back to the ground. Mages were striking the ground with their road and maces to express their approval and share her joy.

“Elena, Elena, Elena !”

Thunderous applauses moved Sakura to tear, the Mysidians were shouting screams of joy. Elena didn’t flinch, she smiled and babbled, brave girl. She walked in the middle of my people. They remained very respectful and contemplated her baby with touching any of them. She spotted her dear old friend Nichol, afar, immortalizing this moment with his talent of painter.