Sharperimage- well since i couln't stand it much, I decided to clean this chapter up. I think it needed a do-over so this is the result. Fixed some things hopefully, well I really hope you like this,
So the party are in the Lhusu Mines presently. Bl
Darkness
Balthier traipsed down the darkly glowing passage, behind the young boy Lamont and the overly eager Vaan. He contemplated the reason behind following a twelve year old boy through a mine, a twelve year old stranger no-less. He leaned over towards Fran, "Do you think he ever learned not to talk to strangers?" he asked casually, keeping a wary eye open for any fiend that might fancy attacking just then.
Fran looked towards the boy, "We should be wary of him, for one who should be unsure of strangers, he is quite adept at not showing it." Balthier looked to the boy who like Vaan was eagerly exploring the passages. He would have liked to know what kind of boy knew their way around politics so easily. As they meandered through the Lhusu Mines, the group of people came out into a large cavern. Vaan caught his breath in awe as there was a bright blue glow coming from the walls themselves; the sky pirate feigned studying the cavern walls keeping an eye on Lamont.
The boy ran to the middle of the room, and kneeled; "this is what I came here to see." Exclaimed Lamont breathlessly. He swept a glowing blue stone out of his pocket, one that looked quite similar to the stone in the walls. He put it next to the stone in the floor and compared the two. Vaan stopped his gaping wonderment to suddenly notice Lamont and surged up behind him. Lamont noticed Vaan, and turned his head back to the blonde.
"What's that?" asked Vaan astonished.
"It's Nethicite, Manufacted Nethicite." Lamont's voice carried a pitch of unreality, as he looked eagerly up at the older boy. Balthier edged closer to Lamont and eyed the stone with mild curiosity.
"Nethicite?" Vaan questioned, his voice was undoubtedly excited as he was caught up in the moment. But, Balthier could tell that the street rat had never heard of such a thing in his life before. Lamont looked back to the ground and swept his hand lightly over the rock that glowed.
"Unlike regular Magicite, Nethicite absorbs magickal energy. This is the fruit of research into the manufacture of Nethicite." Said Lamont, indicating to the mine around them; his voice dropped some as he added more quietly, "All at the hands of the Draklor Laboratory." Balthier covertly turned his head and narrowed his eyes at the boy, his suspicions growing. Raven black hair wasn't common from Bhujerba, or from anywhere much; while Draklor was inside the Empire. He watched as the boy stood, his eyes slits like a snake's.
Lamont walked towards the far wall, like he was being dragged forward by a rope. "So this is where they're the Magicite." His voice was distant and Lamont talking more to himself than to the rest of them. The boy stopped before the wall staring up its great height.
Balthier began walking after the boy, casually asking, "Errand all attended to then?" Lamont drawn into himself, didn't turn around, too busily studying the wall.
"Thank you, I'll repay you shortly." Balthier shook his head, and kept up his slow saunter.
"No, you'll repay us now. We have too much on our hands to go on holding yours." Lamont turned slowly around, a guarded look crossing his face. Balthier came before the boy, turning his head to the side. "Where did you hear this fairy tale about 'Nethicite'?" The boy began stepping away from him as Balthier began crowding. He stared the boy straight in the eyes shrugging, "And where did you get that sample you carry?" Lamont stopped backing up as his back the wall, his eyes now wider than before. "What do you know about the Draklor Laboratories?" His hand shot to the wall above the boys shoulder, pinning Lamont there. The boy looked back to him, an unsure look on his face; and Lamont pressed himself flat against the wall.
"Tell me: Who are you?" he asked forcefully, he didn't want to play anymore games with this kid; Draklor was nothing to kid about. Balthier continued to stare straight at Lamont's grey eyes unblinkingly. Vaan rushed up beside him, not comprehending what was transpiring.
"Balthier—." His voice was drowned out by a familiar growl.
"You kept us waiting, Balthier!" Balthier turned and gave a weathering sigh, just what he wanted to show up.
Four Bangaa walked out of the depths of the mine; at their head was a vicious looking green one who scowled. "Ye slipped away in Nalbina, we missed ya!" Ba'gamnan took out a large circular headed saw and started it, the grinding metal sparked as it stared and, the roar echoed about the cave. The Bangaa began spreading out, covering the cavern carefully. "First the judge, and now this boy. The whole affair has the smell of money about it. I may have to wet my beak a little!"
Balthier smirked at Ba'gamnan derisively, "Keep your snout in the trough where it belongs. This thinking ill befits you, Ba'gamnan." Ba'gamnan stared at the sky pirate, turning his head to the side.
"Balthier! Too long have I gone unpaid!" He scowled, "I'll carve my bounty out of that boy!" Vaan stepped bravely forward, standing boldly before the head hunter, yet he was undeniably lost in what was really going on.
"Where's Penelo? Were taking her back!" He shouted angrily to the Bangaa. Ba'gamnan turned his head slowly to Vaan.
"The girlll? Why keep the bait when you've landed the fish?" he shook his head, "We cut her loose on the way here, and off she ran! Cryin' like a babe!" Ba'gamnan lifted his arms high chuckling at the look of concern crossing Vaan's face. Balthier stared hatefully at Ba'gamnan the lizard truly was despicable. Balthier was surprised to see a blue stone fly past his eyes and hit Ba'gamnan square in the eye. He wasted no time, as Lamont ran forward ducking down and grabbing up the stone again and running towards the exit.
As the boy past him, Balthier muttered, "Nice aim." The boy didn't notice and soon he too was making for the exit. He heard a loud grunt and looked back; Fran had just jumped over Ba'gamnan's head and kicked him for good measure. He couldn't help but to smirk at her, Fran would do that. Ba'gamnan now with insult added to injury jumped up and roared.
"After them!" The five of them rushed down the passage, stumbling slightly at the sudden loss of light. Vaan panting, tried to catch up with the boy, managed to breathe out.
"Hey, wait up!" But Lamont was out of sight by then. Balthier looked back over his shoulder to make sure that Basch and Fran were still there.
"We'll not be able to take them all! Fight who we must, and leave the rest."He shouted quickly, his bet lay upon the fact that no one would want to fight this battle; four extremely muscular and malicious Bangaa would be a great challenge. As he ran into the dark he could distinctly remember the loud panting and grunting of the pursuing Bangaa.
As the party ran down a flight of stairs as fast as they could, halfway, Balthier caught sight of Lamont. He quickly checked his feet so as not to trip, when he reached the bottom; Lamont was already gone. Fran and Basch had passed him, and now he struggled to catch up. As he came out onto the railway, he heard someone cry out. Balthier slowed trying to look around in the dark for what he heard. Basch and Fran were keeping pace running side by side, trying to catch Vaan; who was running pell-mell down the railway.
He looked ahead but failed to catch a glimpse of Lamont, Balthier didn't have to look for long though. As he continued running, he encountered a large piece of debris and avoided it to keep from falling. Balthier's foot caught on something soft, and he pitched forward violently. The sky pirate exclaimed in surprise and as he fell to the ground, putting out his arms to break his fall. As he landed his wrist made a loud pop and exploded in pain.
He bit his lips as he lay on the ground, writhing in pain and not even able to make a sound, he sucked in his breath and clutched his wrist in a shaking hand. As the pain faded a little, could look up. Fran wasn't standing too far away, frozen almost solid and staring at something right behind him. Balthier caught his breath, he didn't even need to look back to see what it was.
"Damn." It was the last thing he said before his limbs went cold all over, in his ear he could feel a harsh breath breathe.
"Thought ye could get away from me, didn't ye?" he could feel it creeping up from his toes and fingers slowly freezing his entire body. He wrenched his head up to tell to get a view of the others; they were being pushed into a corner, trying to get to their fallen allies. Three of the strong Bangaa were closing in on Vaan, Fran and Basch. Fran took out her bow at close range ready to fire upon her enemies, and Vaan did the same, pulling out his sword angrily; ready to have a t their opponents. But it would be a hopeless battle, Basch seemed to know this and was slower to draw his weapon; instead looking for a route of safety.
Balthier saw the look in Fran's eyes and knew that she wouldn't stop, till she had gotten to him; Vaan looked terrified, eager, and angry all in one; trying to follow Fran. Balthier didn't want to see them decimated so he did what he had to do, with the last amount of strength he willed his jaw to move, "Didn't you hear what I said?" he called out hoarsely, "Run!" Fran's attention was diverted from the Bangaa, as she looked at him. Her eyes understood what he meant, but she stayed rooted to the spot; unable to leave her companion. Vaan faltered lowering his sword his face suddenly full of shock. Basch leaned over to Fran speaking with urgency.
"We cannot win this fight, bravery is fine; but this is foolhardy. If we do this we won't be helping Balthier." As if to punctuate Basch's point, there was suddenly a loud smash, and Vaan jumped out of the way just in time to avoid a flesh ripping blow. The thief had lost his bravado completely, and now looked terrified. Despite this he stood his ground looking uneasily at Fran, who shook her head.
"You give me far too many worries, Hume." Fran shouted to him, and as fleet as a Sleipner she turned and bounded down the passage, disassembling her bow. Vaan stood still for a second, too confused and dazed to speak. Basch shook the blonds shoulder, pulling him away, Vaan blinked and very suddenly sheathed his sword, running after Basch. The street rat looked over his shoulder getting one last glimpse of the sky pirate before he disappeared. The three Bangaa chased his allies, shouting threats all the while.
Now that Ba'gamnan had him alone, the Bangaa took his time in savoring the moment. Ba'gamnan jerked Balthier to his knees roughly, and once Balthier was sitting like that; the lizard grabbed his hair and jerked his neck back in a harsh manner. Ba'gamnan chuckled sadistically, as Balthier felt the pressure of something cool and sharp being pressed against his throat. He stayed calm, so as not to give the Bangaa an opening to pry at. Balthier soon discovered that it was hard to swallow, impossible almost with his neck bent back. He tried moving, but he couldn't.
Ba'gamnan chuckled once more, and ran the edge of his knife along Balthier's jaw line in a sort of caress; just enough pressure in his knife to leave a red mark and no more. The reptile's voice rasped into his ear in mock regret. "I've waited for this for so long Balthier, and now I have you." Balthier was close to choking now, his throat hurt terribly, and just when he thought he might no longer be able to stand it; a low moan interrupted his suffering. Ba'gamnan stopped, relaxing the pressure on Balthier's neck and took the knife away. He began sputtering as air finally came back to his lungs, while at the same time he tried to swallow.
Just as he got a little more comfortable, Ba'gamnan slammed his chest making the wind go out of Balthier. He lay flat on the ground painfully wheezing and trying to catch his breath again, "Oh, what's this? One of your friends Balthier?" The sky pirate's eyes wandered over to the small frame of a child lying on the ground; it was Lamont. The boy's face was awash with pain, and he lay curled up, clutching an ankle. Through tearing eyes, Balthier saw a pool of blood; its tangy scent filled his nostrils choking him. Ba'gamnan lifted Lamont off the ground; the boy looked like a kitten being held by the scruff. Indefinably stilled from small moans, Lamont was sweating palpably as he kept quiet; a mixture of fear and pain filling his face.
Ba'gamnan chuckled, making it sound more like a cackle; and Lamont shrunk into himself. "It's the boy! Looks like he found a trap." Balthier realized that it was a steel toothed trap biting into Lamont's leg, caught there like an animal. Ba'gamnan smiled wickedly and grabbed the boy's injury. Lamont tried to jerk away, but there was no stopping the sadistic Bangaa; and the kid soon went limp again as Ba'gamnan took a hold of it. The lizard tilted his head, "Does it hurt much?" Lamont's eyes widened afraid to answer his mouth stood open as he watched his leg.
"No?" Asked Ba'gamnan and Lamont shook is head urgently, but it was too late. In Ba'gamnan's eyes lay a demented glee that glowed, as he tightened his grip and slowly started to pull in his ankle. Lamont hissed in pain and bit his lip hard holding back a scream. As the Bangaa began to pull and squeeze harder, Lamont exploded in a howl of pain. It filled Balthier's ears deafeningly as he lay helplessly upon the ground; a dull ache developed in his chest, as his breath came back.
Lamont's screams became loud shouts and cries, interrupted by sobs or breaths. Balthier could hardly stand it; the boy's screams reached a crescendo and then began to quiet. He heard a dull thud as Lamont was tossed to the ground; Balthier could hear quiet weeping until even that became hushed; making the cave become silent from the sudden lack of noise. There were heavy steps and pant's as he heard the other three Bangaa of Ba'gamnan's crew return; his back was to them and Balthier felt anxious to know what became of the others.
The Ba'gamnan before standing grabbed the boy's ankle and pulled apart the traps bloody jaws; the metal hit the ground with a clang as Ba'gamnan walked to the others. "Well?" he asked his henchmen. Balthier heard a rustle, but nothing more, "Nothin', that's the best ye can do!" Shouted Ba'gamnan angrily. Now seemingly forgotten, as the lizard went into a tirade, Balthier explored the magick that held him prisoner. It was a stop spell, holding him; Balthier realized that he might be able to break it, if he concentrated. It was already wearing off, and he felt admittedly warmer than before. He stopped to listen for the Bangaa but they seemed to still be arguing.
Quickly, he pressed against the barrier; again and again till it was quite weak and would finally break when he pushed at the right moment. A clawed hand grabbed the back of his collar making him choke; it dragged him into the middle of the four Bangaa and a foot kicked him onto his back. "We still did well, me brothers. With the bounty from Balthier we'll be able to stay in comfort for a quite a while, yes?" the others nodded with grunts to convey their answer.
Ba'gamnan laughed, "Now, what shall we do with em'?" One of the others with a gruffer voice leaned down and grabbed the coin pouch from Balthier's side.
"I say we take a look and see what he has on his person, so we don't have to rely on just his bounty." Ba'gamnan nodded kneeled down beside Balthier taking his gun.
"I'll take this; too fine a model to be wasted on the markets." The other just grunted and bent down, to rummage through the packs attached to Balthier's belt. Ba'gamnan stayed kneeled down, supervising the others. Balthier couldn't stand it anymore, and finally put the last bit of pressure needed to break the spell. As Ba'gamnan was about to stand, Balthier closed his good hand into a fist, tensing. He let the blow fly; it connected with a loud smack against the tip of Ba'gamnan's snout, sending the Bangaa reeling backwards; clutching his injury, and cussing.
"Get that dratted sky rat!" the others grabbed at him as Balthier rolled to the side, careful not to bump his hand. Before he could reach for his gun, claws grabbed at him and forced him down again. Ba'gamnan snarled angrily, "Lift him to his feet! I want him to face me!"
He went to cramping legs and was forced to stand, Balthier panted heavily from his efforts. "What's wrong, Ba'gamnan? Find out that your stout isn't so sharp after all?" The Bangaa howled in rage and sent a fist, wrenching into his gut. Balthier the air escaped his already hurting lugs far too quickly, his vision blackening. Balthier's head hung forward, and if it wasn't for the strong Bangaas holding him up he would have fallen to his knees.
The lizards lifted him back to his feet pitilessly, and he heard the ragged breaths of the Bangaa before him. A sudden pain filled his wrist as Bwagi one of the Bangaa pressed down on it hard; instinctively he tried to pull his hand away, and Ba'gamnan saw it. The lizards leaned close to his ear, "What's wrong with yer hand Balthier, did you hurt it in your fall?" he asked with mock pity. Bwagi pulled the arm forward and held it out to Ba'gamnan. The Bangaa's head twitched slightly towards it in a manic way, but refrained from snatching it.
Balthier waited for the inevitable, Ba'gamnan smiled, took a hold of his wrist and wrenched it to the side. It was with such force that Balthier couldn't restrain a yelp. Ba'gamnan twisted it to the side even further, white hot pain flared in his wrist and up his arm. Balthier was as helpless as before, everything disappeared from his mind as he leaned the way the pain came from. His wrist began to pop a little, and the sky pirate's eyes snapped open. Black spots ran across his vision in a haze and his knees buckled. He began shuddering out of control as the pain overtook him, almost too great to bear.
A scream began to form in his throat, as some sort of escape from the pain. Before it had even started, a rough hand closed over his throat. Balthier's eyes opened on shock as his voice was choked off. He recalled dimly being lifted into the air dangling like a rag doll; his good hand scrabbling to free his neck. Raspy breaths tried to unsuccessfully break through the suffocation.
Balthier began feeling dizzy and light headed, the world vibrating out of control with each thud-thud of his heart. His arm slowly gave up its futile attempt to free him, and instead fell to his side; feeling like a dead weight. His legs felt heavy too, far too heavy to keep kicking at the air with; so they stopped also.
A wicked chuckle broke through the dream like world he was in, "You can't escape Balthier…" the words didn't register, his eyelids now to heavy to hold open also. From a distance he felt his body landing on something hard, and everything went dark as he drifted into a dreamless sleep….