Chapter 2: Mystery
"You're late!" Penelo said. "Yeh uh... we kind of run into some trouble on our way... so..." Vaan replied but even before he finished his line Penelo interrupted him "Well leave it now and explain later, now eat!"
Vaan put the treasure on top of a desk and decided to eat first but at that time the box started glowing with a strange aura around it.
"What's happening?" Kytes said, Vaan rushed to get the box and examined it. "I have no clue" he said. "What is that for treasure? Does any of you know it" Penelo said. They all looked at each other but they all seemed clueless. "It looks scary to me, I don't have a good feeling about it Vaan, please place it back where you found it" Penelo said. "No way! I risked my life to get that, no way I'm returning it now!" Filo said. "Yeah Penelo, don't worry about it it'll be fine." Vaan said. "If you say so, but if anything happens you'll be sorry" She said unwilling to admit to his feelings. "Don't worry Penelo, have I ever been wrong?" Vaan said. Penelo sighted... "Ok then... but I want to find out what it is, and as you guys have no idea... wouldn't it be best if we would go see Balthier? It's been a while so..?" "I suppose that's best. Everyone to your stations, the Destiny is launching!" Vaan replied.
After traveling trough Ivalice they finally arrive in Archedes, It did not take long to find Balthier and Fran, they were in the "Archadian Aerodome", that's the place where you can land your ship if you want and visit a town. There are even airships for people who don't have an airship of their own, that way they can still travel to other cities. There are people everywhere, people here for business and also other sky pirates. It's a great place to meet each other. You could see it as a market square only indoors and without the shops, so altogether a great place.
"Long time no see Vaan, how is the leader man been doing?" Balthier asked. "Just fine Balthier, as you would know of course" Vaan winked. "Hey Fran." Penelo said. "Hello, Fran replied. "What brings you to visit us?"Balthier asked. "Well not so long ago we were treasure hunting in the Nam-Yensa Sandsea and we found a box there" Vaan said. "A box you say?"Balthier said. "Yes a box, but we don't know anything about it but it does look really old, maybe you would know it?" Vaan said. "Well it wouldn't harm taking a look" Balthier said. "Ok walk along then" Vaan replied.
The team was chatting a bit while they were walking back to the airship. "So find anything rare lately Balthier?" Filo asked. "Well the loot is really low lately..." Balthier relied. "Well yes but I can't do anything about that now can I? Filo replied while laughing. "No you can't... Unfortunately" Balthier said. "There is the ship, let's get inside and I'll show you the box Balthier" Vaan said. "Lead the way" he replied.
Onboard the Destiny Balthier and Fran take seat and Vaan go's and get the box.
"Well this is it..." Vaan said. Balthier turned a little pale at the first sight on the box. "Where did you get this" he asked. "Nam-Yensa" Vaan Replied. "Return it, there is a great magic casted on this box, you cannot use it, do you hear me Vaan? Dispose of it, and do it now" Balthier said "Wha... What's wrong?" Vaan asked surprised. "Nothing yet, and it is not for your concern to know." Balthier Replied. "Vaan, please return this to where it came from, I sense an evil Mist around this box" Fran said. Vaan looked at the box... "Ok... we will return it, immediately" he said. Balthier looked at him and placed his hand on Vaans shoulder. "It's the best for all of us, believe me" Balthier said. "Fran, its better that we left, the sooner that box gets back where it was the better, everyone salute. Balthier said. "Goodbye" Fran said.
After that both of them stood up and left the air ship. "What could it be Vaan?" Kytes asked. "I have no idea, but if Balthier says it's a bad thing, we would be better off believing him" Vaan replied. "We are heading toward the Nam-Yensa Sandsea again aren't we Vaan?" Penelo asked. "Yes, everyone to your stations, we are lifting up again"
What exactly is this box? Why didn't Balthier tell us what it was? And what about this black magic? What will the crew do now? Won't Vaan hesitate to place the box back to where it was? All that and more in the next chapter "Airborne"