Author's Note:
Previously on Calamity of the Serene Ashe slowly recovers from the Varran Plague and Larsa requests Penelo, Vaan, or Basch's return. Basch stays to protect Ashe while Penelo and Vaan head back to Archadia. Basch finds himself constantly surprised yet pleased by how mature and womanly Ashe has become. Ashe's middle-aged fiance, Ayon Margrace, meets with Ashe and asks her to move their wedding up in date, and also makes an enemy with Basch. Balthier and Fran snuck into Ashe's office, and tell Ashe of the fallen God named Loki who may be able to help Ashe ward off the disease. They agree to accompany Ashe and Basch to the woods in which he lives.
( C A L A M I T Y-of the-S E R E N E )
Chapter Six: A Far Worse Fate
At first, Vaan didn't notice the way Larsa looked at Penelo or the way Penelo looked at Larsa. Larsa was overly formal and polite: the smile on his face when he saw them was both forced yet genuine. It was the kind of smile that had been practiced hundreds of times before; presented before kings and queens and nobles, and now to them. Yet the look in his eyes was one of true pleasure. He looked first to Vaan and then to Penelo, and the gaze between them lasted a few seconds longer than it should have. At the time, Vaan thought nothing of the quick interaction. And as Larsa offered Penelo his arm with that small, plastered smile on his handsome face, Vaan still thought nothing. Larsa was, after all, a member of royalty, and therefore was obligated to escort a pretty young guest such as Penelo. And despite Penelo's innocent and nervous giggle, Vaan thought she'd be annoyed by Larsa's formality.
Larsa ushered the pair through the grand castle and into an empty and ridiculously large Hall where the arched, gold-plated ceiling seemed to stretch up a mile above their heads. The sound of their light footsteps thundered through the open room, echoing off the wooden floors and walls. Larsa led them to the middle of the room, safe away from all wondering ears and eyes of his guards. Vaan gazed up around him, taking in the sights. Scenes of angels and demons fighting in a horrific, bloody battle were etched on the upper parts of the walls.
One particular image captured Vaan's attention: A devilish man with shoulder length, dark brown hair with red and gold skin was being stabbed in the belly. The bare-chested angel that was killing the man had blonde hair and a determined look on her painted face. The two characters resembled Vayne and Ashe so greatly that Vaan felt a shiver run up his spine. All at once, he had flashbacks of that fateful last battle against Vayne, along with the pain, the rage, and the mania that all of them had felt.
Someone asked him something, and Vaan had to rip himself away from the bloody image before him and focus back to Penelo and Larsa. They were staring at him expectantly.
A little embarrassed that he hadn't been listening to them, he ran a hand through his coarse, platinum hair. "Um, what?"
Penelo frowned slightly. "I asked if you were listening."
He fidgeted, now tugging on a clump of hair. He knew how guilty he looked. "I, uh... Yes. Yes, I was."
Vaan had always been bad at lying. Penelo knew it, too, and she huffily placed her hands onto her hips. "Hmm? You were? Then what did Lord Larsa just say?"
He winced; now he was doomed. He couldn't even guess as to what the eighteen-year-old boy would have said. Vaan ran his hand through his hair once again. "I don't know. I'm sorry."
With a sigh, she began, "Vaan--"
"You gotta understand," he interrupted, pointing up towards the wall above them. They followed the direction of his outstretched fingers. "That mural up there, it looks like--"
It was her turn to do the interrupting. "The mural? That's why you weren't listening? Vaan, this is really serious here. Pay attention. Please."
He bit down onto his tongue, hard enough to taste the metallic liquid that seeped out. He knew better than to argue with Penelo when he had done something wrong. Wisely, he kept his mouth shut and kept his undivided attention onto them.
Larsa gave Vaan the cliff note version of what he had told Penelo: "I'm afraid that Ivalice has been threatened once more. A man- a Hume with extraordinary powers and abilities- has come to me in secret and given me a choice: sacrifice my life and soul to him, or allow the Varran Plague to destroy Archadia as it has Dalmasca."
Vaan blinked hard, feeling taken aback. He had not expected this news. "Who is this guy?"
The Emperor shook his head. "I fear I do not know. But this I know to be the truth: He is not bluffing; I could feel his power radiating from him..." he paused, bowing his head as if in deep thought. "Such power... That glow his eyes held... These traits are that of being completely submerged into mist."
The chill Vaan felt when Larsa mentioned the mist was intense. The word did not exactly instill warm, fuzzy feelings in his heart. Vayne had merged with Venat and the mist and had become a monster. The idea that they could be up against a similar creature frightened him immensely. Still, Vaan kept his composure strong as he listened to Larsa.
"Please know that I would gladly give my life for that of my people," Larsa continued, moving his eyes between each of them. "Yet I have no heir. Should I indeed offer my life, I worry that Archadia would fall to a self-interested tyrant. I do not wish my people to suffer and die, but I cannot allow the throne to fall into the wrong hands. It would be a far worse fate for my country then that of disease."
"I understand that you can't die," Penelo agreed, biting down onto her lower lip. "That's just absurd. But please, don't let the plague spread here."
Larsa took a step closer to Penelo, locking his gray eyes on hers. "I may not have a choice."
She took a deep breath and shut her eyes, and suddenly her face was filled with anguish. When she opened her eyes, they glistened with unshed tears. "You didn't see Dalmasca. You didn't see the faces of all those who were dying. You didn't see the faces of everyone who had lost their loved ones. You didn't realize you couldn't say goodbye to most of your friends. Larsa, everyone who is still alive in Rabanastre... they're as good as dead inside."
Larsa hesitated, looking wounded. Wow, Penelo's speech must have really effected him, Vaan thought. I can't believe he looks so guilty. I mean, Penelo's pretty convincing and all, but an Emperor effected by her? Wow.
After a moment of silence on his part, Larsa spoke with fierce determination. "I will not allow my people to suffer. You have my word, Penelo, and you know I am a man of my word."
"I do," she breathed, lowering her gaze.
Another moment of silence passed between the three of them. Realizing he hadn't spoken since he had been scolded by his childhood friend, Vaan spoke. "So, why did you tell us? Why not some advisor?"
To this question, Larsa smiled fondly. "You may not know, but I trust you both above all else- even my most reliable advisors. Six years ago, when everyone turned against me and my cause, you stuck by my side. You, who hated Archadia and all that was associated with its name, helped me. For that you have my eternal gratitude, and all my trust."
Vaan watched with hushed surprise as Penelo's face lit up with pleasure, yet at the same time, tears fell from her shimmering eyes. "Truly?"
Larsa's smile grew slightly larger. "Indeed."
Without warning, Penelo suddenly pushed herself forward and threw her skinny arms around Larsa's midsection and squeezed him tightly. She buried her cheek into his chest, shutting her eyes tightly. Vaan released a startled gasp and Larsa raised an eyebrow, obviously not sure of what to make of the situation. Penelo's impulsivity stunned both Larsa and Vaan; neither of them expected her to hug him so forcefully.
Penelo finally released the young Emperor, a deep flush high on her cheeks. "I'm... I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
Larsa laughed- a deep, joyous sound that would relax anyone- at her fumbled words. He waved off her humiliation with a gloved hand. "So I see! No matter, at least I know you appreciated my comment."
She covered her mouth with both hands and spoke through her fingers. "Nobody has ever trusted me like that before."
"Hey," Vaan objected defensively. "I trust you like that."
But she hadn't heard him. She was too entranced by her own embarrassment and the warm glow on Larsa's smiling face. But Vaan couldn't blame her, even he felt captivated by the very presence of the Emperor. Larsa was a good guy, Vaan knew. Perfect for the job of being ruler of a country. And he has a killer personality.
Larsa motioned towards the door, which seemed so far away to Vaan in the middle of the grand Hall. "Come. It is nearing nine; I demand you both join me for breakfast."
Vaan hadn't realized how famished he was. They had traveled most of the night, and that combined with no food or sleep had left him feeling a little delirious. Perhaps that's why Penelo had tears and hugged Larsa, Vaan concluded to himself. He nodded quickly to Larsa, as did Penelo, and then the three of them made their way from the room.
It took them a lot longer to travel to the Salikawood than Ashe expected. The weather was turbulent, and Balthier had to pilot them through many paths away from the storms, which extended their travel time. Not that Ashe minded. The lengthy trip gave her plenty of time to reconnect with the feisty and mysterious sky pirates. They had been exploring caves and ruins and everything else that could be considered thrilling. Their adventures almost made Ashe envious of them, and she silently wished she could partake on such experiences once again. But that time was long gone, and she knew she was destined to nothing more but boring social parties and agonizing politics for the remainder of her life. Not that she minded that, either.
Basch sat silently by her side most of the trip. His eyes were dark and quiet, and Ashe could tell he had something on his mind. She did her best to leave him alone to his thoughts, but it was bothering her. In the past when she was young, he had always asked her what was wrong when something was troubling her. She had never returned the favor, and suddenly felt incredibly guilty for it. When Balthier finally quieted about his traveling tales, Ashe turned in Basch's direction.
"Are you alright?"
He looked rather surprised to hear the question. With a small nod of his head, he responded, "Of course, Majesty."
He was lying, trying not to trouble her with his own problems. She didn't like this. While she did know that most people would lie to her in such ways because of her royal title, she didn't want Basch to hide himself like they did. She wanted him to talk to her. She wanted him to be her friend. He was, after all, the closest thing to a true friend that she had.
Her sheer loneliness never ceased to amaze her. She had always thought that she was above such petty feelings.
She kept her gaze glued on his face, trying to make him look her square in the eyes. After a long moment of trying to ignore her look, he finally gave in to what she wanted. When his eyes met her, she felt her heart skip a beat.
What is this? She thought, taken back by the sudden butterflies in her stomach. This... radiance I feel between us?
She ignored her own sudden feelings and tilted her head as she looked at him.
Tell me what's wrong, she told him silently through her eyes. Tell me, damnit. Tell me, tell me.
Another small shake of his head. Not here, not now, he seemed to tell her.
Happy that he had at least acknowledged her desire to know his problem, Ashe nodded in return and faced forward in her seat again just in time to hear Balthier announce that they were on the outskirts of the Kru-Borma: the land in which Loki dwelled.
"That is your cue, Fran," Balthier told his partner. "Lead Basch and the Princess out onto the deck. I'll hold the Strahl steady while you work that Vieran charm of yours."
He was referring to the fact that only Viera could unlock the Kru-Borma forest. He continued, "I shall join you once I see that the barrier is down."
Fran stood from her chair, as did Basch and Ashe. As Fran took a step towards the back of the cockpit, the worst possible thing happened:
Something struck into the side of the Strahl.
The jolt was slight, but enough to cause the three members of the party who were standing to stumble. With loud gasps, they quickly regained their balance.
"What the hell was that?" Balthier asked out loud, sounding bewildered as he again steadied his airship.
Fran's eyes were narrowed, and she stared out the front window into the dense mist that surrounded them. She spoke calmly, "There is a fiend guarding the Kru-Borma."
Balthier turned his head sharply in her direction. "A fiend? Now you tell us this?"
A low, gut-wrenching growl sounded from outside the ship. It was so low-pitched and loud that the entire airship seemed to quake from the sound tremors. Without meaning to, Ashe released a startled gasp. Her hands found the head rest of her seat, and she clutched onto it tightly.
"A rumor," Fran explained quickly. "I thought it was a lie: A great beast spawned from the mist."
"Do we fight?" Basch questioned menacingly, taking a step into the aisle of the cockpit seats.
Before Fran had the chance to answer, there was another blow to the ship- this time from the front. The four hero's were able to catch a quick glimpse of something through the fog of the mist: a giant wing of the beast as it slammed against the nose of the Strahl.
"Damn!" Balthier cursed, gripping onto the wheel before him and turning it sharply to the right. "That does it. We're leaving!"
As he began to pilot the airship around, another loud growl sounded. This time, the terrible noise was closer. The creature was not happy about them trying to flee, and had decided to chase after them. Balthier frantically dodged the Strahl away from the creature's angry attempts to ram itself into the ship. He swore again as another jolt rang out through the ship.
"Fran!" Balthier called out. "Unlock the barrier to the forest. We will make for safety there."
Fran nodded, throwing herself into concentration as she began to mentally unblock the mystical barrier. Another hit to the front of the ship, and this time a talon crashed down and cracked the glass on the front window.
"Ugh, hurry, Fran!" Balthier pleaded.
Then, when things didn't seem like they could get much worse, the group experienced something terrible. The beast must have rammed the side of the ship head on. The blow was enough not only to cause them to stumble, but to literally throw each of them off their feet. Fran was thrown back into her chair, hitting her left side hard against the arm rest. Basch was knocked clean onto his back, where he slid left in between two chairs. Even Balthier was completely thrown from his pilot seat.
Ashe received the worst. She had been in close proximity to the wall, leaning with the direction the ship had been flying. Tossed off her feet, the left side of her head collided with the wall. At first, Ashe heard a loud thunk as her head contacted the steel, and the pain she felt ripped through her entire body. As she felt herself collapse to the ground, her vision turned completely white. And then it faded into darkness.
Basch heard Balthier swear again. The sky pirate struggled back into his pilot chair, gripping the wheel tightly as he quickly regained control of the ship. Feeling a bit disoriented, Basch pulled himself to his knees and then to his feet. Fran was crouched low in the corner, still trying to break the magick barrier. Thankful they were both okay, and so Basch turned his head to check on the Queen.
But she was gone.
Confused, Basch ignored the loud curses and shouts from Balthier and moved around to the back of the seats. There, lying limply on her side, was Ashe. Her blonde hair covered her face, but Basch could tell that she was clearly unconscious. Her right arm was bent unnaturally beneath her body, and her neck was twisted at such an odd angle.
Oh, by the Gods! Ashelia!
Alarmed, Basch threw himself across the space that separated them, skidding across the floor on his knees. He reached down and grabbed her by her wrists, pulling her lifeless body up into his arms. Her head rolled lazily from side to side with the bobbing of the ship.
Please, be alright. Please, Ashe, be alright.
Wiping the hair from her face, he looked down at her. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly ajar. Blood trickled down from the side of her head and glazed her left cheek. She looked so lifeless and cold in his arms that he honestly thought that her fall had killed her.
And the thought of her dying broke something in his heart.
Just then, something inside of him hurt. His heart, his chest, his stomach, his guts- they all felt like someone had grabbed a hold of them and were twisting each organ forcefully. He gasped loudly, tightening his grip on the fallen Queen. His breath caught in his throat. Ashe, he thought with passion and fear. Please, wake up. Do not die, Ashe.
You cannot die. I will not stand for it.
There was a shout from the front: Fran had broken down the barrier. Balthier was now piloting them into the Kru-Borma. Basch didn't care about any of that. He kept his gaze glued on Ashe's face, willing her to wake up.
If you die, everything I have ever sworn to and promised to your father was for nothing. I will not let that happen, damnit! Wake up!
Unfortunately for them, the beast gave one last shove to the ship. There was a loud sound of crunching metal, and then Balthier lost all control of the Strahl. Before any of them realized it, the plane was nose diving. As they spiraled downwards, again Basch was thrown forward. Thankfully, the backs of the seats blocked him from completely falling. Yet Ashe began to slide from his grasp, but he kept his right arm locked tightly around her. He held her firmly, keeping his other hand gripped onto the chair. The effort took all his might, and he groaned out loud as he struggled to keep himself from falling and crashing through the front window.
"Hang onto something!" Balthier shouted back to them.
Basch managed to cast a quick glance out of the cracked front window just in time to see them quickly rushing down to meet with several dark trees that made up the forest. Shit, shit, shit! He closed his eyes and turned his head.
When they hit, they hit hard, and Ashe was finally forced from his arms and away from him. He heard the sound of glass shattering and the horrific sound of metal tearing. Something from behind him flew out from the hall and struck him hard in the back of the head.
Another groan, and then Basch, too, fell victim to unconsciousness.
Author's Note:
Can I ask what you guys like better? LarsaxPenelo or VaanxPenelo. For the record, I still haven't decided who she's going to end up with. Input, please:)
On the next episode of Calamity of the Serene: Fran proves her strength to her friends. Two party members get their fortunes told and one becomes separated from the rest. Larsa gives Vaan a life changing opportunity, and Penelo questions his intentions.