Kain shot down out of the air like a perfectly aimed javelin, shouting an ear-splitting cry as his spear plunged into the hide of the beast, piercing its heart. It gave one last shriek and then shuddered, silent and still. His heart pounding in his chest from the adrenaline of battle, he yanked the spear free and spun around. Edge was pinned to the southern cave wall by a pair of those bizarre Amazon creatures that dogged their steps upstairs. His katanas whirled; the young ninja parried the monsters' measured thrusts with ease, but could not seem to find an opening to press an offense. Kain rushed to his aid, but there was no need. Just as he braced to take another leap, a single arrow whistled past him and flew through the throat of one, causing her to gurgle and collapse, while the second's head was sent flying by Cecil's gleaming Dwarf-forged holy blade, her body crumpling into a heap at his feet.

"Is everyone alright?" Rosa panted, lowering her bow only slightly, her eyes darting about in a wary fashion.

"I am now," Edge chuckled, kicking the corpse of one of his assailants. "I don't think she is, though. Thanks, Rosa."

"You're welcome. I'm not terribly concerned with her, though," Rosa giggled nervously. Rydia, who was standing off to the side beside her, appeared rather haggard, Kain thought. He knew nothing of the magical arts, but she had been flinging spells at a break neck pace, and exhaustion was etched across her youthful face. The girl was powerful, but she was still human.

"Are you well, Rydia?" Edge gave her a concerned frown, apparently thinking the same thing. She smiled wanly at him, and nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm just tired, is all."

Cecil wiped Excalibur off before sheathing it, and looked around warily, his knight's eyes still sharp and alert. "There will be time for rest later," he said, "if we can find a safe place. But we need to keep moving. We dare not dally here any longer, with what's creeping about."

"Agreed," Kain said. They formed up once more, Edge scouting just slightly ahead of them on point, and followed Cecil down the narrow staircase to descend even further into the deep.

It was far too simple to lose track of time there, in the endless, spiraling dark. Was it mere hours, days or weeks that they had been traversing this barren landscape of rock and broken temple columns? Kain hadn't the faintest idea. All he knew was that it was becoming a blur, a never-ending blur of enormous amphitheaters of stone, silvery blue-grey walls and fighting creatures that were the stuff of nightmare, each one stronger, more bizarre than the last. Above all it was so confining; Kain found himself longing to see the sky, and feared that with each step further they took, penetrating deeper into that forsaken Lunar abyss towards its heart, he might never see it again.

You won't, you realize.

It was a faint, insidious whisper. Were he not utterly paying attention to every movement and every sound, he may well have believed it to be a creature's movements echoing off the cavern walls. However, Kain was paying attention. He'd been waiting for it; it had been strangely silent since FuSoYa broke its grip over his master's--that is to say, Golbez's mind (why was he still calling him Master, even now?). Kain knew it would not be banished so simply. It was never that easy. And now that he knew with perfect certainty that it was not the voice of Golbez, he felt emboldened.

Shut up. Kain spat the thought back at him, pouring every ounce of hatred and scorn he felt into those two simple words.

You'd like that, wouldn't you, boy? My presence here must be so very painful.

Mine will be far more painful to you 'ere we reach the Core, you filthy son-of-a-bitch!

Such unpleasant words, boy. You should mind your tongue.

And you should mind yours. I am no mere boy, and your presence is neither welcomed nor desired here. Go play with someone else.

Oh, but I am. Look around you.

Kain turned and glanced back at his friends. All of them wore distant expressions, eyes haunted as though their minds were far astray, dwelling on thoughts that were painful, memories which still burned their souls. Sinister laughter echoed throughout the vaults of Kain's mind, and he scowled.

Leave them alone, you bastard.

You still care for them, after all they've put you through? Cecil, who plays the shining white knight now, yet has not asked you once how you are feeling? After what he drove you to do?

I...I bear Cecil no ill will. It was I who wronged him. He is blameless.

The Great Sir Kain Highwind, Lord Commander of the Knight Dragoons of Baron, reduced to the simpering sycophant of a half-breed traitor to the Crown, and his buxom strumpet. How pitiable. How pathetic, that you truly believe they are your friends. That anyone could love one such as you, who has fallen so low.

SHUT. UP. Kain clenched his teeth, swiping at his eyes with gauntleted fists, almost as if to beat back the tears that were forming. You know nothing of love or friendship. NOTHING.

I know the true reason you desire that harlot, and why she laughs even as she scorns you. I know that you hate her because she represents what you will never have.

I--I could never hate Rosa!

They all laugh at you, you realize? Because they know what I know. They can see what I have seen. What Golbez saw when you knelt so reverently before him, as if he were an altar. What even Barbariccia saw, when you screamed her name as you lie together--

ENOUGH! Kain bellowed in his mind, bending every ounce of his will and focusing it toward banishing that horrible voice and its hollow mockeries. He would not lose himself again. Not now, not so close, not when everything was riding on what they set out to do when they stepped into the light of the Crystals and were driven to this terrible place. Not with the prayers of those left behind floating through the starry heavens to give them strength. Kain Highwind was not going to fail, this time. He would not betray those he loved most again, not when it mattered most. You hold power over me no longer, foul sorcerer! Be gone, Zemus!

Then, as suddenly as it came, the voice went silent.

"...Kain? Are you alright?" Rosa was frowning at him, her brow furrowed with worry.

"...I'm fine," he lied, and stepped up his pace.

It was some time later--how much later, Kain could not fathom--when they came across a narrow corridor lined with doors. Cecil raised a hand, motioning for them to stop, and they did so, drawing their weapons. Instinctively, Kain hovered protectively over Rosa, his gauntleted fist gripping Gungnir tightly, keeping an eye on the passage behind them. It was far too quiet for his mind, and there was no telling what manner of subterfuge Zemus had planned. Cecil waved Edge forward in a silent request, and the ninja nodded. He gingerly stepped forward to round the corner, his silent footsteps leaving no evidence of his passage, and put his ear to the first door.

"Well?" Kain whispered, his Dragon-crested helmet obscuring the eyebrow he raised questioningly.

"Sounds empty," Edge mouthed back. He gently, slowly pushed open the enormous iron door, and slipped through. It was a tense moment while Kain and the others waited, but finally he emerged, flinging the door all the way open. He bowed grandiosely. "Ladies and gents, our palace awaits. Room's protected by one of those shelter glyphs." There was a collective sigh of relief, and they stepped forward to join him. Edge suddenly grinned at Rydia, his eyes twinkling. "Looks like you'll be able to catch that nap after all, Ryds. Want me to tuck you in?"

"Oh, shut up, Edge," Rydia muttered, pushing past him.

"Can I interest you in a foot rub, then? Bubble bath, maybe?"

"Shut up, Edge." That time, it was everyone.