A/N: Okay so Belias has been eliminated and at the end of the chapter I promised some fluff. So now…there's going to be some fluff. Not right away…because…well you'll see, but there is going to be fluff n this chapter. Oh and all you silent readers…I'd really enjoy some feedback! Thanks everyone, XD. Oh and just a little thing…My mind is very blurred on Vossler right now…I know he said something that showed his betrayal but I forget. And I also no that he ends up being killed, which will happen, just, I'll have to improvise with the script, so bear with me please…XD
As Vossler walked out of the Tomb and everyone filed out behind him, an instant low rumble was heard. Everyone looked over head in the sky as the sound grew louder. Suddenly a fleet of airships appeared above the Tomb, and in the centre of the mass, one very huge important looking airship. Ashe felt her jaw drop as she recognized the ship. It was Judge Ghis's ship. How had he survived?
The party of seven was commanded to board the main airship and they were escorted to the control room, where they met Ghis. He had the most nerve-rattling look pasted onto his face. He looked so confident and proud, as if he had gone on a hunt and now he had captured his prey. It made Ashe want to stick the sharp shinning tip of her sword through his chest. Apparently Ghis wasn't going to play fox with them though, for when he spoke he got right down to the point.
"Where is the nethicite?"
Before Ashe could stick up for herself she found the sky pirate speaking.
"Now, now. All we did was go into a royal tomb of a long lost dynast king who happened to create some of the finest nethicite Ivalice has ever seen. No need to draw conclusions."
Ghis gave him one of the most irritable looks one could conjure. "This is no time for playing games, pirate."
Ghis's sword quickly found its point sticking into the side of Balthier's neck. "At least your sword gets down to the point." Balthier was obviously feeling very confident around the Judge. Ashe on the other hand was tired of his dodging gig.
"Why would we give you the nethicite even if we did have it in our possession?"
Ghis smoothly moved his sword's tip to Ashe's throat. "I can think of a few reasons." At that Balthier turned his head and felt a small tingle of protection surge through him. Basch, whom would never let something happen to Ashe under any circumstances, immediately stepped forward and had his hand on his sword's sheath. After witnessing all of the tension, Penelo sighed and stepped forward to Ghis, holding out her hand, which revealed the Dawn Shard. With a victorious grin, the Judge swiftly took the stone and lowered his blade. He walked away and began mumbling to himself before ordering some of his scientists aboard to test the Nethicite of its worth. With that said and in progress, Vossler spoke.
"Lady Ashe, this is the best for Dalmasca. We can't go on fighting a war we know we can not win."
Ashe glanced behind her at Vossler, disbelieving of what she had heard.
Basch walked over to Vossler, a disapproving look on his face. "Are you saying we should give up? That we should let Archadia take over Dalmasca with no fight?"
"We can't waste our lives on a useless cause."
A few other guards moved in and began leading the party to another section of the control ship. As they walked Vossler slowed down to speak to Ashe.
"Milady, truthfully this is the best thing you could do for Dalmasca."
Ashe turned to look at him, her eyes glaring pain into him. "Who are you, Vossler, to speak of the truth?" It was much more a statement than a question. Ashe walked on, leaving him behind.
Vossler looked down, feeling almost shameful. "I am but a man of Dalmasca."
//-//-//-//-//
As the temperature that the scientists tested the Dawn Shard with increased, everyone in the party could tell that Fran was different. She was fidgeting, and her eyes were wild. The guards tied up everyone but Vossler, whom they accepted as one of them now.
"The heat…" Fran was now crouching down, the pain she was experiencing unbearable. "It burns…" Finally she couldn't take it anymore. With the strength of a million men she ripped the ropes that bound her apart and flew up in the air, ricocheting off of various crates scattered throughout the room, and killing two unfortunate guards in her path.
"Fran never did take to being tied up very well." Balthier commented. Ashe glanced at him slightly, how could he still be in a mood for humor at a time like this? "I like her idea." She used her sword to cut away the ropes that tied her, Balthier, and Basch together. Penelo and Vaan, whom had not yet been tied quickly followed suit. Four guards were left surrounding both sides of Vossler, who was obviously on their side now. Basch, angered at his old time companion, went on to spar with Vossler, leaving the rest of the party to deal with the four guards. Vaan and Ashe went together to kill off the two mages first, while Penelo stayed back a distance to heal them. Balthier kept a close watch on Fran, who was randomly hacking arrows at her enemies. Her health never dropped dangerously low, which gave Balthier the opportunity to do the enemy some damage.
When all the guards were gone the party turned its attention to Vossler, who was still busy trying to kill Basch. The knight had been taking a lot of beating, and was tiring by the time his comrades were able to assist him. Penelo quickly cast Cure on Basch and he felt better instantly. Vaan eagerly joined Basch in the task of eliminating Vossler. While Penelo kept Curing the two front-row fighters, the rest of the party concentrated on saving their magick for Mist attacks, with the exception of Fran, who was still out of control. She had been helping Vaan and Basch beat Vossler up. By now Vossler's health had rocketed downward, and he was feeling the pressure. He knew he couldn't defeat six worthy opponents, but he wasn't going to give up quite yet. He cast Cure on himself a few times, and it had been helping, but still his health was going down quickly. As Ashe heard Vossler begin to pant, struggling for enough breath, she cast her Mist attack on him, beginning the chain. Balthier quickly followed her up with his Mist attack, and Basch, who was still very tired, managed to throw in his own Mist attack. Ashe felt the Mist flow around her and found the energy to throw in one more attack. After this Inferno had been earned and the Mist gladly favored the party and its intelligence. Vossler, his health all but diminished, fell to his knees. He felt his lungs contract, but then, he wasn't able to breathe in. With his hands on his sword's sheath, he fell over onto his side, stone dead.
While this quick battle had been taking place, the nethicite had been tested on extremely high temperatures that had caused it to implode. The party, knowing that they were in harm's way, quickly made for the Strahl, which had been commandeered by the main airship previously, as flames seared all around them. Quickly they filed into the small airship and Balthier and Fran took control. In seconds the Strahl was deporting from the disappearing airship behind them. Balthier, after getting a safe distance away, turned the ship so that they could witness the event taking place. The huge airship they had just been aboard was engulfed by flames. It began to contract into itself until the pressure grew to be too much, and then it burst apart in flames. Fire coursed all about as pieces flew in ever direction. It was truly a breath taking sight. It left everyone speechless as they watched the flames die down, revealing nothing but a cloud of smoke in the place of the fleet that had been there moments before. Yet, through all the clouds and smoke, a small, dark object came floating through the air towards the Strahl.
"Is it?" Came Penelo's high voice.
Ashe held out her hand and the stone drifted into her grasp. "The Dawn Shard."
//-//-//-//-//
That night, in the warmth of a local port for airships, the party rested. They had decided to make their plans the next day after they had all gotten a good night's rest. They had checked into a small Inn, where they wouldn't be seen by anyone who might recognize them. Ashe had taken the luxury of renting a suite, for her aching body desperately longed for the pleasure that her home in Rabanastre gave her. The suite wasn't quite as extravagant as her room, and one wouldn't expect it to be, but it was enough for Ashe to feel like she was at home. Though, through it all, she felt hurt and sad. She wasn't sure who she could trust anymore. In her privacy alone she felt comfortable to let her pain out. She sat in her chair, put her hand on her forehead, and let her tears come freely.
As Balthier was passing by the suite on his way to his own room he thought he heard a slight sniffle. He stopped in his tracks and backed up to Ashe's door. Silently he listened a bit and then heard it again. Why was she crying? Curious he opened her door, almost surprised that hadn't been locked, and stepped into the room.
Upon hearing her door swing open, Ashe jerked around, embarrassed.
"Have you not heard of knocking?" She asked, irritably, and wiping away her tears. They left trails of salt on her cheeks anyways though.
Balthier held out his hand apologetically, "Pardon my barging in Princess, but I seemed to hear you in such a state of sorrow and decided that perhaps you could do with some support."
Ashe sighed, "That was very thoughtful of you, Balthier, but I think perhaps it'd be best if I was left to be alone."
Balthier put his hands behind his back and walked forward a bit. "Sorry Princess, but now that I'm in here I have become involved, and I can't just walk away without finding out something."
Ashe looked down, feeling very low. "Oh Balthier…I just can't believe Vossler would do something like that."
Balthier became serious now; he understood what was going on in Ashe's head.
She continued, "He was always so passionate about doing what was right for Dalmasca, and about doing whatever it took to get the job done. He protected me as Basch has for his whole life. I trusted him with everything that I am…and this is how he repaid me. He gave up…He took the easy way out…But worst of all, he lied to me. He turned his back on me when I needed him most."
After all had been said Ashe felt more tears threaten to fall.
Balthier stepped closer. "Was there anything intimate between you two, because that would certainly worsen the outlook of this all."
Ashe rolled her eyes. "He was nothing more than a close friend, Balthier."
"Good."
She glanced at him to see a smirk. "But he betrayed me." Now the tears came again. Ashe hated that Balthier was present when she felt so weak. The last thing she wanted was for someone to see her crying, least of all Balthier. As she wept silently she felt the presence of warmth on her shoulder. Balthier had stepped over beside her and placed his hand on her. He wanted so badly to comfort her; it was hard for him to see something when they were down, and more surprisingly, it made him feel entirely worse when the person was Ashe. She looked up slightly before turning and wrapping her hands around his waist and leaning her head against his chest. Balthier was, to be frank, shocked, and he hesitated before hugging her back. She felt warm and delicate in his arms, such a big difference from how appeared. Usually she was strong, confident, bold, and outgoing. One would never guess she felt like lace in one's hands and light as a feather. Eventually Ashe's tears subsided. She felt much better after talking and just letting some of her pain escape her. A whole weight had been lifted, and it was all thanks to…She looked up at Balthier. He'd never looked better. His light brown eyes tenderly gazed back at her, offering comfort and guidance. Against her better judgment Ashe felt herself leaning into Balthier closer, her attention completely captured by him. Just as Ashe's lips were about to meet Balthier's, he turned his head. He couldn't become involved with the Princess. It would put both of their hearts in jeopardy and could destroy the Princess's passion for her country. If she were to fall in love…unthinkable. Balthier glanced back at her apologetically, before standing up and walking to the door. With one last glance at Ashe he sighed, feeling her pain within himself as he left. Ashe looked at the door dully for a few seconds before going to her bed and falling asleep.
