Chapter VII
-Eruyt Village-
Early the next morning, Valkyrie, Beth, and Zeus convened at the gate crystal, Beth bidding seemingly endless goodbyes and thanks to the Viera. At least, that was what Valkyrie supposed they were, as he couldn't understand a word of the Viera tongue. After what seemed like an eternity, Beth finally turned her back on the Viera and faced her other two party members.
"So, where are we headed?" she asked boisterously.
"Bhujerba," replied Zeus. "I have a meeting with someone there, and you two deserve to be in on this."
Grasping a teleport stone, she turned to the others. "Ready?"
Upon receiving nods of ascent, Zeus activated the Gate Crystal. At once, the party teleported to Bhujerba.
They appeared in the Aerodrome, Beth and Valkyrie shaking a little.
"Ugh, that will never stop feeling weird," remarked Beth.
"You get used to it," said Zeus.
"To be honest, I'm just glad to be out of that village," said Beth, "I had to speak in Viera the whole time I was there. Least communicative night of my life."
Valkyrie laughed. "Do we have time before your meeting?" he asked Zeus.
"A little," said Zeus, "why?"
"I want to see if I can afford an upgrade to our equipment," replied Valkyrie.
"Not a bad idea," said Zeus. "Just be sure to meet me in the Cloudborne in about an hour."
-
An hour later, Beth and a clearly worn Valkyrie plunked down at Zeus' table in the Cloudborne.
"So?" asked the smiling red-head, "what'd you get?"
"I got a Nishijin Belt and repaired my boots," said Valkyrie, pointing to his armored shoes. "And Beth got a Gokuu Pole, as well as the bright idea to try it out in the store."
"Hey, it wasn't that bad," said Beth, scowling.
"I thought the owner was going to faint when you nearly knocked down the sword display," said an aggravated Valkyrie.
"Anything else?" said Zeus, laughing.
"A few remedies, a pack of phoenix down, and Reflectga," replied Valkyrie.
"I still don't know why we needed Reflectga if we've already got Reflect," said Beth.
"Trust me, I don't have Reflectga myself, but it'll come in handy later," said Zeus. She looked around, a little concerned. "That's odd; he should have been here by now."
"Who?" asked Valkyrie.
"We're meeting an ex-Kiltias, a friend of Atak's," explained Zeus. "If anything, I thought he would beat you here."
It was then she noticed a large crowd of people flocking to the window next to the Cloudborne's entrance.
"I'll go check," said Valkyrie.
A moment passed in which Valkyrie carefully looked out the window. Even from across the tavern, Beth and Zeus could see him turn pale. He hurried back, looking worried.
"Imperial soldiers, talking to a man with short brown hair and a scar across his right cheek," he said hastily.
"Shit," muttered Zeus. She drummed her fingers on the table, thinking hard. "We have to act fast. You two go out the back; if Beth is recognized, you're both stuck in Nalbina and we can't guarantee another escape. I'll go out the side and try to head them off in the mines. Chances are, that's where they'll go next."
She motioned for the two of them to come closer. "Now, I need to ask a favor of you. I need you to get to Mt. Bur-Omisace as quickly as possible. Do you perhaps know anyone there?" she asked.
"My mother's a Kiltias," replied Valkyrie.
"Excellent, that will make this easier for you. I need you to ask her about the Stone of the Condemner," said Zeus. "Even if she refuses, show her this." She pointed to the crest to summon Adrammelech around Valkyrie's neck. "Undoubtedly, someone will understand. Now let's go."
Valkyrie dragged Beth through the back of the tavern and out, only stopping to breathe once they were in the next district.
"Well, this is fun," said Beth. "I think I'd like this better if there wasn't a price on my head."
"At least you're getting some exercise," said Valkyrie. "C'mon, to the Gate Crystal."
-
"I tell you, 600 gil is too much!" said Beth, exasperated.
"That's my final offer, and I'm sticking to it, kupo!" replied the equally annoyed chocobo wrangler.
"Then stick with your birds," said Beth, "we have no business with such overpriced specimens."
She angrily walked through along the mountainside path. "Trust Valkyrie to only have one teleport stone on him. Why is everything around here so gods-cursed expensive anyhow?"
She halted just before the entrance to the home of the Kiltias. Valkyrie stood at the entrance, speaking with a gray-haired, nervous looking female Kiltias. Beth could only surmise that this was Valkyrie's mother, but she had never met the woman herself. At last, Valkyrie bid farewell to the woman and, upon spotting Beth, signaled for her to come over.
"She told me that we needed to speak to a He' Kanmoh, and that she would go inform him of our arrival," said he.
"Okay," said Beth. "If you don't mind my saying, she didn't seem very happy to see you."
Valkyrie gave her a sour look. "Way to be blunt, Beth." He sighed. "I suppose it's expected, though. My dad and I don't communicate with her on a regular basis. Thinking on it, I should send him a message, let him know I'm okay."
Beth grinned. "That's the great thing about having parents that don't ask questions, you don't need to tell them anything."
Valkyrie rolled his eyes. "Come on, we have some stairs to climb." As they passed a group of Kiltias, he remarked, "I suppose it doesn't help that I've started to look like my brother."
At the top of a very long flight of stairs, a Nu Mou awaited the two friends. As if hitting a cue, Valkyrie and Beth both sank into a bow.
The Nu Mou smiled. "I see the Academy has taught you well, young Humes. Please, rise. I am He' Kanmoh, leader of the Acolytes. Accompany me into the sanctum, as what we have to discuss is not meant for the ears of others."
The last to enter the sanctum, He' Kanmoh signaled for the doors to be shut.
"Valkyrie, I believe it is?" said the Nu Mou.
"Yes, your grace," Valkyrie replied humbly.
"Your mother tells me you have come with inquiry about the Stone of the Condemner," said He' Kanmoh. "For what reason do you ask such questions?"
Beth and Valkyrie looked at each other. Zeus hadn't told them why she wanted to know about the stone.
"Our query regards the Ancient Medallion," Valkyrie elegantly improvised.
"Ah, of course," said He' Kanmoh. "I see that the crest of Adrammelech hangs around your neck. Well, though the emperor can pass judgment by his lonesome, it never hurts to have the condemner make the verdict final."
"Uh, excuse me your grace," said a timid Beth, "but I fear that your words confuse me."
"Why, the Stone of the Condemner is the artifact that will call out Zeromus, Scion of Gravity. Or were you unaware of this fact?"
"To be honest, your grace, the Stone of the Condemner was only known to us as an aid for banishing the evils of the Medallion," said Valkyrie.
"Ah, I see. It makes sense you would come to the Kiltias, then," said the Nu Mou to a confused Valkyrie. "Tell me, did the fight against Adrammelech cause you trouble?"
"It was indeed difficult," said Valkyrie, "for the both of us. But I was aided by my birth sign, as I was born under Capricorn (Beth resisted the temptation to roll her eyes)."
He' Kanmoh looked amused. "Then you will have an advantage over Zeromus as well. Cancer and Capricorn lie in opposition on the wheel of the Zodiac, making them compatible signs. But I must warn you against seeking the Condemner at this time. Mid-summer marks the entry into Cancer, and then Zeromus will be at his strongest. Best to leave this one be. Besides, the stone no longer resides at Mt. Bur-Omisace anyhow."
"What?" cried Beth. She immediately blushed. "Oh, a thousand pardons your grace, I was always under the impression that the stone made its home with the Kiltias."
"Do not apologize, little Hume," said He' Kanmoh, "it is a common misconception. As a matter of fact, I myself made a gift of the stone to a Hume boy from Rabanastre years ago. He and his party were quite a threat to your empire at the time. Perhaps your search should continue in his hometown."
The two gave thanks to He' Kanmoh and departed from the palace, both plagued by new answers and new questions.
"What about your cousin?" said Beth, "He seems to know a lot of people. You think he'd know of this boy from Rabanaste?"
"I'm sure the illustrious Judge Ffamran does not want to be bothered with such trivial matters," said Valkyrie, imitating the man's speech. "Besides, I don't think he'd be thrilled to learn that we're trying to take down one of his co-workers."
"Well, I don't have any other ideas," said Beth, sighing painfully. "I suppose it's a long trek to Rabanastre then."
"What about the chocobos?" asked Valkyrie.
"Outrageously expensive, even for one," said Beth. She smirked, suddenly. "What was it you said earlier, about the exercise being good for us?"
"Oh, shut up," said Valkyrie. "When I said that, I did not mean a three day walk to Dalmasca."
