Disclaimer: I make no claims upon Final Fantasy XII, its characters or the world of Ivalice.

I appreciate all of you so much for leaving reviews last chapter. I was startled at how many of you responded, and with such enthusiasm, so thank you - it gives my confidence a major boost. I really wanted to get the next chapter out sooner for you guys, but school has had me against the wall and my free time is limited. But it's finally here, so have at it!

Fall Into Ecstasy

Chapter 10: Puzzling the Pieces


I stormed away from the palace entrance and through the ruined courtyard, kicking bits of rubble and rock out of my path. The soothing effect of the valley was instantaneous and I my shoulders sagged in defeat.

Well that was just brilliant, Penelo. Way to take mature action. Already I was regretting what I said, but it was too late and I was too frustrated to turn back and make amends.

Not to mention that everyone had born witness to my outburst, which would raise questions that I wasn't prepared to answer. The thought of broaching my frustration at Basch in front of them again was not only horrifying, but potentially catastrophic. I didn't need to generate any more suspicion than I already had. This would have to be resolved in a private setting, preferably after I had time to gather my thoughts.

There was grass growing in the courtyard, to my pleasant surprise. I bent down and rubbed my fingers through the moist filaments with sudden longing for the surface. Then I sighed and stood up, facing away from the palace.

The surrounding wall was largely dilapidated and overgrown by the garden. Among the voracious plant life were dragon root trees. One tree in particular was of colossal size, leaning perilously over the cliff edge.

I approached the great tree and gazed up at its crown, awe-stricken. It was enormously tall, reaching up nearly three levels of the valley and easily ten feet across at its base. Vines blossoming with peach colored, iridescent flowers wove gracefully upwards around the trunk of the tree, dangling from the branches on high.

A yellow butterfly appeared out of nowhere and settled on a flower several feet above me. I scrambled up the roots of the tree to get a closer look, but the butterfly took flight. It disappeared somewhere above amidst the weeping tree leaves.

An array of insects buzzed around me as I clung there, watching them. I smiled as they busily pollinated from one blossom to the next. It seemed such an odd place to find insects, so deep in the earth, but there would have to be in order for the flowers to survive. Somehow they all managed a living in this dark and sunless tomb.

I spied a nice wide limb several feet above me and climbed up to it. The branch was twice as wide as me and bowed slightly were it connected to the tree to make for a decent seat. I heaved myself up over it and shifted around to lean back against the trunk, one leg stretched out in front while the other dangled languidly off to the side, swinging.

The view would have been tremendous if it hadn't been for the cascading canopy of foliage all around me. As it were, I had one large window into the valley straight in front of me and a waterfall to admire. It was still a sight worthy of Gods.

"Penelo?" A familiar voice hailed from down below and back in the vicinity of the entrance. My heart jerked painfully, but he didn't sound angry.

I bit my lip, groaning inwardly and fought the urge to remain silent. It was too much to hope that he wouldn't look for me. Basch was not a dallier and this was a matter that obviously demanded attention now. I was suddenly glad that I hadn't run, sparing myself further childish embarrassment.

So I answered from the safety of my tree, none too gently, "What?"

No sooner had I spoken did I hear the sound of crunching stone beneath his boots with each measured step. I captured a descending leaf as it crossed my sight and began nervously worrying it with my fingers. The footsteps halted a step to the right beneath my tree limb. A long, weighty silence ensued.

By now I'd snared yet two more leaves and was busily shredding them to pieces. I absently tossed the tattered remains over the side, no doubt to flutter down upon Basch's head as he stood down there, unbearably quiet.

"My dear, whatever did the leaves do to you?" Came his voice, rough and so damned charming, despite everything.

That was it. I threw the remains of the fifth leaf away and buried my face in my hands with a moan. The apology that had been hesitating in the back of my throat burst out unbidden, "I'm sorry…for what I said just now. It's not entirely true."

When there was no immediate reply, I hastened to add, "-but you can still rot." For being such an ungrateful, lying bastard.

"Perhaps you would allow me to explain myself before passing judgment over my actions?" Basch inquired calmly.

I crossed my arms, scowling. "By all means, do tell."

Basch cleared his throat, "First, I did not come solely for the preservation of the Empire, though it did play a significant part. Regardless of how I feel, as Judge Magister I cannot abandon the needs and demands of my Lord and the Empire for personal pursuits, but in this case they happen to coincide and I am able to help you."

"But you—"

"Secondly," He interrupted, "You have saved my life too many times to count, you single handedly rescued both myself and the Emperor from certain capture, and we would not be alive today if not for you. If anyone believes you incapable, they're a bloody fool." He stopped to catch his breath before adding, "And, if it came down to you or Balthier guarding my back, you are my unequivocal first choice." There was a hint of disdain in his voice at the mention of the sky-pirate.

It was hard not to allow myself an amused smile, but it didn't change the fact that he had intentionally misled me while toying with my emotions at the same time. I sat up slowly, staring out across the valley beneath a shadow of doubt. "So, you made me believe that you came to fulfill your oath, when all you were really doing was using me to achieve the goals of the Empire while conveniently settling a debt that you otherwise were never going to?" I laughed dryly, "I feel so much better now."

There was an indignant gasp from below, "What—no! Damn it, Penelo, this is ridiculous. Come down here where I can see you."

I glanced down sharply at where Basch stood, meeting his gaze for the first time. "You didn't answer my question." I replied softly.

Basch stared back at me, his eyes hard and desperate. "I found a reason to come in the name of the Empire because I couldn't consider the thought of you going alone and not coming back. Do you really believe that I would use you in such a way?"

I swung down off the limb, scraping my arms across the bark as I slid off, and landed in a crouch on the ground in front of him. I straightened smoothly, despite the jolt of pain through my legs, and glared at him. "You kissed me." I accused, fidgeting anxiously. "Why?"

Basch flinched and averted his gaze to the ground between us. It was one of the few times that he refused to look at me while speaking. "I wasn't thinking." He murmured, bowing his head. "My behavior was deplorable – unbefitting of not only the knighthood to which I have sworn fealty, but anyone of my years should know better than to let impulse override good sense. I beg your forgiveness."

A familiar hotness stung at the corners of my eyes as I fought to hide my disappointment and stared indignantly back at him. Then I was absolutely livid. Alright let's count how many times I was inadvertently insulted in that little speech…one…two…three...

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage that I knew was seeping into my voice as I began to speak, and failed completely. "First off, years have nothing to do with it. Secondly, you…you just basically said that kissing me was deplorable! And thirdly, no! I'm bloody well not forgiving you! You used me." I confirmed shakily and moved to go past him. "I'm going—"

"Gods no—it was not like that!" Basch protested urgently, stepping in my way. He took my hands in his as he spoke, his voice cracking, "I swear it was not like that."

My breath hitched in my throat at the touch of his skin and our sudden close proximity. I dared to meet his gaze and instantly forgot everything but the comfort of his hands, the warmth of his breath against my face, and the pure devotion in his eyes. It might have been an eternity that we stood there, captivated by something beyond comprehension, and not a single spoken word between us.

"Basch?" Vaan's child-like appeal startled us out of our spellbound state. "Did you find—oh."

Basch withdrew from me at once with the speed and grace of someone avoiding discovery. He faced the younger man with a curt nod. "Everything is fine." He caught my eyes briefly, questioning, but it vanished beneath a carefully neutral smile. "I shall leave you two alone." He said and departed.

I felt my stomach drop and spin like a top, as if I were being tossed through the air on an air shuttle. That's what this was about? Me and Vaan?!

The flames of wrath, which had been so nearly extinguished before, sprang back to life with a vengeance. I bit my tongue and watched him go with cool detachment, but Basch didn't look back. My hands flexed inadvertently at my sides, his touch still fresh in their memory, when Vaan's voice brought me back to reality yet again.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked, blinking dazedly. Whatever he said had gone right over my head.

Vaan crossed his arms with a scrutinizing frown, glancing between me and Basch's retreat with obvious interest. When he finally did speak it was to ask, "So, what was that about?

There was a sizeable metaphorical object growing in the base of my throat as I fumbled for an appropriate response. Regardless of how clueless Vaan could be on occasion, he wasn't that dense. If I lied he was almost certain to know and if I didn't he would suspect something was going on.

What that 'something' was is anybody's guess.

"What do you mean?" I returned, carefully sidestepping treacherous territory. His question had been rather vague after all.

Vaan's brow furrowed slightly, "Well, you did call Basch a coward a minute ago. Not to mention we could hear you guys arguing out here from inside. So, what's the deal?"

My cheeks flushed and my jaw dropped unbidden. I caught myself scarcely an instant before I blurted out something I shouldn't. Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and answered calmly, "It was a misunderstanding, that's all. I should have known better than to say something like that, but everything is fine now."

Yeah, just bloody peachy…

For once Vaan didn't bite. He looked at me for a moment, squinting, and then shook his head. "I don't know what it is, but it's definitely something." He proclaimed.

I lifted one brow skeptically, "That was quite poetic."

Vaan unfolded his arms and walked up to me with an animated plea, "Oh come on! You can tell me, can't you? How long have we been friends?"

I bit my lip, hesitating. Just friends…right? Sometimes I don't know your mind though, Vaan. There was no question of my feelings, but what of his? Once upon a time the idea had crossed my mind and was promptly dismissed, never to be considered again. Some things are best left alone.

Meanwhile, everyone else had apparently dubbed me Vaan's 'possession' without my consent. Something will have to be done about that. If only I were a more 'take action' kind of girl, then it might not be such a hassle, but I wasn't – especially when someone like Basch was involved. Behaving like a silly hormonal teenager would not earn me his regard.

"Hey, you ok?" Vaan asked when I didn't immediately reply.

I blinked, shaking myself from my reverie. "Yeah, I'm fine." I answered and rubbed my face tiredly. "I think I need to rest."

Vaan sighed, his head dropping in disappointment as he conceded, "Yeah, I guess you probably do." He flashed me a meager grin and slung an arm over my shoulder as we headed back to the palace. "But don't think you're getting off that easy."

"Somehow I'm not surprised." I grumbled. "It's really nothing."

He paused briefly, considering his words. Then he murmured, almost to himself, "You didn't see his face."

We had reached the entrance and Vaan drew away abruptly, throwing a fleeing look over his shoulder at me. There was a shadow over his eyes and something that looked almost like regret. He hesitated a moment, as if about to speak, only to think better of it and turn inside.

I trailed him at a distance, brooding. Things were not looking well on all accounts. Really, relationship angst should've been the least of my problems at the moment. Sometimes I was so conceited…

"At last." Balthier straightened from the pillar he had been leaning against and seated himself on a slab of stone near the others. "Now that we're all here, we can attempt to address the situation at hand."

My gaze slipped surreptitiously to where Basch sat, his arms draped languidly across the hilt of his sword as it rested blade down against the floor. His eyes made an imperceptive sweep in Vaan's and my direction. I dragged myself away from firing accusatory glares at him and sat down next to Vaan on the only empty bedroll left. Larsa offered me a smile from across the way as he held a mug of steaming tea in his hands, and then all attention was on Balthier.

"As things stand now, there's no way out of this haunt," Balthier began, "—which leaves us with the problematic task of releasing a curse that we know nothing about. Whatever it is wiped out an entire civilization, so far as we can tell."

"Two civilizations." Kang supplied evenly.

Blathier's regarded the bangaa skeptically, "Two?"

Larsa took up the torch in the Kang's stead, launching into an excited description of our discovery back at the outer gate's military post and the hume city that had also been destroyed. "There was little else mentioned in regards to the curse, I'm afraid." He finished regretfully. "But maybe if there is surviving text here within the city we might find a lead?"

"What little we have found Fran has translated as the desperate ravings of madmen." Balthier muttered. "Those who survived the catastrophe starved to death soon after. 'T'is the wrath of the Gods that smite us from our heavenly throne', so speaks the esteemed author."

Balthier smiled grimly, reclining on one elbow, "The question is, for what did they earn such wrath and how do we reverse it?"

Well we might know that if Jovan were here like he should've been. That he had seemingly vanished was a very ill omen, considering it was his guidance that brought me here in the first place and which I was trusting in to lead us the rest of the way. We were fumbling in the dark without him.

There was also the ghost haunting my staff to consider, but I knew even less of her than of Jovan. I debated bringing her into the discussion, but thought better of it. If Basch or Kang thought it pertinent, then they would bring it up.

"It is a great mystery that binds us all here and only a scarce few pieces in our hands to complete the puzzle," Larsa articulated. "—but the rest must be here. We simply have to find them."

"We might start by sharing all that we know." Basch suggested calmly.

Balthier regarded Basch with a jaundiced eye, but made no comment towards the knight. His gaze slid my way and halted imploringly. "Yes, well, I think the grandest tale is yours to tell. How do you come to be here at all, I wonder?" He was asking me, "I doubt it was power and riches."

"I had a vision." I mumbled quietly and worried the edge of the blanket with my fingers. "There is a bangaa, or the ghost of one anyway, protecting the city. He helped us escape before," I glanced meaningfully in Basch's direction. "Jovan sent me the warning that you were in danger, so I came." I bit my lip, "You haven't seen him by any chance?"

Before Balthier could respond Fran had interjected, "He is imprisoned somewhere here."

Everyone turned their heads to stare at her in astonishment, some more reproachfully than others. Balthier appeared downright incensed and was not shy in expressing it.

"Nice of you to inform us." He grated irritably.

Fran continued without so much as a flicker of acknowledgement in her companion's direction, "I feel his presence here."

"This place is full of ghosts. How is he different?" Balthier returned.

The Viera pinned him with an intent look, "He is alive."

"But, how is that possible?" The Emperor gasped dubiously.

Fran's shoulders gave an elegant shrug, "I cannot say for I have not seen him."

I had a very ominous feeling suddenly. Something about the Zodiac Stones lingered at the edge of my memory and made me shiver. Didn't they have the power to bind and revive a person under some circumstances? Could they keep someone alive indefinitely?

"He has one of the twelve Zodiac Stones." I blurted out and waited for havoc to ensue. The stones were a subject of growing controversy around camp, judging by the suspicious looks being exchanged –mostly between Balthier and Basch. I could understand why Balthier mistrusted power like that after the damage his father's obsession had caused and what Ashe could have done, had she taken another path.

"Ah yes, the stones." Balthier murmured, contemplating the floor in earnest. "I would imagine they play some part in the greater scheme –yet another mystery to unravel." He glanced sideways at Basch, "Which reminds me, just what are you planning on doing with a stone in the off chance you get your hands on one?"

Basch's returned the sky pirates gaze coolly, "I intend to make threats that I have no intention of acting upon in order to regain my Lord's throne."

Balthier's eyes twinkled knowingly, "And if that fails?"

There was a very still and electrified silence wherein no one dared to speak. All focus was trained on the two men facing one another in the classic battle of testosterone. Or was that 'wills'?

It was Kang who at last came to the rescue. "He will do what must be done." The bangaa spoke curtly. "It is not for you to pass judgment, pirate. We have more pressing matters to consider at present. Let us leave petty arguments for a later date, if you must."

The room quieted down considerably after that, but Balthier continued to watch the bangaa with peculiar interest as the conversation drifted onto our immediate problem. Basch and I were forced to re-cap our previous excursion three years ago, which was a stiff process as I was not on speaking terms with him at the moment. I gave special emphasis to Jovan's role, as he had been the ultimate instigator; if anyone had answers, it would be him.

"Well, let's get him out then." Vaan concluded.

"It is not so simple." Fran shook her head slightly. "A second curse was placed on the tower that keeps him."

"Another one?" Vaan lamented with a groan

The Viera nodded.

"So what are we supposed to do then?" He returned morbidly.

It was around that time that I noticed myself drifting off the sleep with my chin propped on one hand. I was sagging into Vaan's shoulder when he nudged me in the ribs. My eyes sprang open with a startled exclamation and I sat up rigidly.

"Make a thorough investigation of the city of course." Larsa announced, setting aside the mug of tea he had been sipping, and stood up. "We may find something yet. And of not, it will have been worth it for the sights. This place is simply marvelous."

Balthier grunted his disapproval as he stretched himself out on a blanket and reclined his head against his provision's pack. "You'll change your tune once you've spent a few days here." He said ominously and closed his eyes. "I suggest you conserve your strength while we still can."

I, for one, was more than happy to oblige. The space our camp occupied may not have been especially accommodating as far as comfort was concerned, but it would do. I had scarcely allowed my head to settle on the mound of blanket my arms had gathered before I was out.

The wind was blowing hard against my skin, clawing at my clothes and hair. It wailed loudly in my ears as a figure emerged from the dreamy gray haze surrounding me. I blinked, uncertain, yet curious.

It was the voice of the staff, or the woman whose spirit possessed it. She held the staff now, her robes billowing in the wind as she came to a halt several feet away. Her hair whipped across her face and she swatted irritably at it as she began to speak, "To release the bangaa you must first return me to my body."

"Why?" I asked, confused. And how exactly does that work?

"Because I am the one who placed him there." She replied softly. "I must lift the spell."

I licked my lips anxiously, choosing carefully what to ask, "But…how are you even here? In the staff I mean, after all this time."

The woman proffered the object in question and removed the crescent moon head piece with a muttered spell. An oval gold stone fell from the downturned shaft and landed in her waiting hand. She held it out towards me then.

My eyes widened in shock and she nodded ominously. It had a notch in it, so as to imitate a stylized pair of bull horns, and the symbol inside it was that of Taurus.

"I am bound to mine as Jovan is to his." She explained. "In the uppermost part of the valley there is a third gate. This will lead you to the underground remains of the hume city. My body is in the temple there."

"But—" I hesitated, watching the pulsating light of the zodiac stone warily. "Who are you?"

"My name is Sedara. Jovan and I were--still are gatekeepers." She answered solemnly, her eyes briefly downcast. "You must hurry to your friends now. Company is coming."

Before I could ask, a vision was thrust upon me. I sucked in sharply, a shivering thrill of fear crawling up my spine. It was Sigmund standing at the 1st gate, a contingent of knights at his back as a mass of undead warriors drove them onward. The gate was opening!

"Jovan will let them in." Sedara's voice echoed in my ears, though she had disappeared. "Twelve will wield the stones and release the curse. You will have to make them see, for the city gives up neither the dead nor the living once you have crossed the boundary."

"Wait!"

She was gone.

I awoke with a start and glanced around frantically, half expecting the ghost to be standing over me where I lay. It was disorienting at first to discover the camp practically deserted. Balthier was the only one who remained besides me and he was still peacefully asleep. The quiet stillness left me chilled and lonely.

'Twelve will wield the stones'

I suppressed a shudder as I sat up and considered the dream. My gaze drifted to the staff. Someone had set it on a flat surfaced piece of stone. I stood up, approaching it with reservation, and slowly lifted it into my hands.

It was nothing more than an ancient piece of varnished wood, yet there was power lying dormant within. I focused my attention on the head piece and, taking a deep breath, tried unlocking it myself. The spell rolled off my tongue with a practiced ease, though I had never spoken it before, and the crescent moon released the wood.

I exhaled shakily and tipped the shaft into my hand. The cold weight of the stone fell against my palm and I gasped, biting back an oath. I should've been more careful with it, knowing what it was capable of, but this one was already bound to an owner.

"Well this is a fascinating development."

My fingers closed around the stone lightning fast as I spun around to face Balthier, now on his feet and peering curiously down at me. He crossed his arms, arching a quizzical brow. I swallowed hard, but couldn't find my voice.

"The plot thickens." He murmured and took a step towards me, closing the distance between us to mere inches. His hand grasped mine and slowly, effortlessly coaxed it open to reveal the stone. He caught my gaze briefly, a mischievous twinkle there.

I scowled as heat flushed my face red and I tried to pull away, but his hold was unyielding. He clucked his tongue in admonishment and ran his fingers along my arm with a suggestive smile. "I just want to have a look at it, love."

"Oh cut it out, Balthier." I huffed impatiently and surrendered the stone to him. "It's a wonder Fran puts up with your antics."

He gave a harsh laugh at that and held the stone up to the light, frowning slightly. "However did it cross your mind that Fran and I are anything but partners in crime?"

"Well I don't know," I retorted acidly, my hands planting on my hips, "Probably the same way it crosses everyone else's mind that Vaan and I are romantically involved."

The seasoned sky pirate regarded me oddly then, his brow furrowing in puzzlement. His eyes became clear as realization struck and he smirked dryly, a shadow of understanding descending over his face, "I see." He handed the stone back abruptly.

I took it without hesitation and backed away slowly, "I don't know what you mean." I stated, unnerved. Balthier had such a way of seeing through people. Not for the first time I wondered if he had not retained something from his brief time as an Archadian Judge.

Balthier shrugged, "It is no matter. You have the look about you of someone who's had a revelation. I don't suppose you'd care to share?"

I relaxed, "Things have gotten more complicated. I think I know what we have to do though." I answered and returned the stone to its former hiding place, "We should find the others first."

He shouldered his pistol, "Let's go then."

I eventually fell back to trailing after him as we departed from the palace grounds. Neither of us had been comfortable within the other's vicinity since our first meeting. It was a strange thing because back then he had delegated Vaan and me as the children of the group, ignoring the fact that circumstances had forced maturity on us long before then. Balthier had never made friends with a female that didn't qualify as fair game and the concept of sisterly affection was lost on him.

In essence, I was a gray area with no clear answer. We avoided each other at all costs; I wasn't impressed by what he had to offer— and he didn't trust himself. Not that the surly pirate would ever admit to it, but there was no other explanation for it. He could pretend to be as enamored with me as any man gifted in the arts of seducing women, but he always made a quick retreat when it was done.

And Fran never even twitched. It was a topic of constant debate inside my head. I'd been trying unsuccessfully for years to unravel the mystery of Fran and Balthier. I was fairly certain that Balthier was incapable of being in love with one woman for longer than a few days. Fran seemed to accept that Balthier would always be attracted to the feminine figure and allowed him to go along his business, which was simply mind boggling to me.

"Snap to, you're falling behind." A voice struck me dumbly from my reverie and I had a momentary lapse of panic as Balthier was staring directly at me, as if he could read my very thoughts.

"Sorry." I replied hastily and brushed past him.

Balthier pivoted sharply about to fall in step beside me, his eyes trained ahead. "I assume Fran has taken them on the grand tour. You'd best fill me in along the way."

By the time I'd finished recounting the events of the vision Balthier had pushed up the pace into a jog. There was a potential for disaster if we didn't locate the others before they came upon the traitorous Judge and his men. As much as it galled me to have to come to that despicable man's rescue, no one wanted to be stuck down here for all eternity.

We crossed another bridge that spanned the entire valley from one side to the other. There was a huge circular square at the other end, half of it surrounded by dragon root trees and the other half by towering stone buildings. What grabbed my attention though were the pale specters roaming idly along the roads and pathways, and their wails of grief that struck without warning.

I covered my mouth inadvertently, my face contorting in horror. "Oh how awful." I breathed, shaken. "Do they…do they do this all the time?"

"Only at nightfall." Balthier replied. "As you can see, it has just begun."

More and more of them appeared as the minutes past. The entire valley hummed with their ghostly speech, no more than a conglomerate of whispering voices as they re-enacted their previous life. They seemed oblivious to us too, as if we were not there, but whenever one passed too close the frigidness of their aura cut straight to the bone.

"Avoid passing through them." Balthier advised after one close call. "Their touch is not deadly, but it will render you incapacitated for several minutes."

"O…ok." I stammered, glancing about shiftily. The idea of it was alarming, considering that they were completely silent and wandered aimlessly. It would be so easy for one to pass through me without my even noticing them until it was too late.

"Best stay close," Balthier added and grabbed my hand, pulling me closer than what was necessary.

I stiffened in surprise at the warmth spreading from my finger tips all the way to the top of my head and the end of my toes. It was not a comfortable warmth, but I was not in a position to protest, nor did we particularly have time for it. I'd deal with this can of worms when the time came.

Kang and Vaan were the first two we came across. They had gone in separate directions in order to cover more territory, which unfortunately meant we still had to find Basch, Larsa, and Fran.

"So what's up?" Vaan asked after greetings were exchanged.

"We've got problems." Balthier said grimly. "Which way did they go?"

Kang came forth, "Second level. I can track them for you."

"All right." Balthier agreed curtly and the four of us moved out.

Vaan and I dropped to the back as we mounted the great marble staircase leading up to the next level. An archway of canopied tree leaves encased the stairs, reflecting off the pure white stone in soft shades of orange, violet, green, and blue. I scarcely had time to enjoy it as we were in a hurry, but I promised myself that I would come back later.

"You know," Vaan started to say as we reached the top of the stairs, "maybe we should just avoid Sigmund?"

My brow furrowed in a slight frown, "Why? We're going to have to face him sooner or later."

"I know, but just think –if we collect all the stones first, before confronting him, then we'll have leverage and he'll have to cooperate." Vaan clarified. He cast me a questioning look, "You know what I mean?"

"Heaven help us," Balthier gasped in mock astonishment from up ahead. "I do believe Vaan has come up with an independent thought worthy of consideration."

Vaan and I rolled our eyes, but said nothing and the rest of the journey followed in almost complete silence. Occasionally we could here Balthier and Kang muttering up ahead in clipped tones. Despite evidence of sparks flying between them, they were maintaining their manners rather well at the moment.

Kang eventually came to an enormous building and stopped to examine it closer. It was almost as big as the palace with monolith sized pillars out front and a staircase fifty yards wide, built directly into the valley wall. Even more surprising, it was entirely intact.

True to his word, the instant Kang had lead us through the door of said building, Larsa's voice came floating pleasantly from within, accompanied periodically by Fran's. There was pale blue light emanating from the passage straight ahead and we followed it. Upon reaching the next room I had to catch my breath in astonishment.

A library! Only, it was the most unusual and remarkable library I'd ever seen. This was an enormous underground lake garden surrounded by books and masterful stone-working. A bright pale blue orb high above in a crown of gnarled dragoon tree branches shined down upon the full expanse of the room, revealing all its splendor.

The cylindrical cavern was full of flora and stonework, from archways and pillars to gazebos and fountains. There were winding cobblestone paths with benches placed along them, opposite shelves and shelves of books. Towers with layers of open arched windows rose from the enormous stone dial located at the center of the glassy water with branching pathways spaced evenly apart leading to the outer rim of the gardens.

Thousands of flowers and leaves cast rainbows of color along the walls of the cavern and on the surface of the lake. There were rows of neatly arranged fruit trees and wide expanses of perfectly trimmed lawns, as if it were only cut yesterday. The air smelled of fresh rain and nectar.

Most of the bookcases were located in rows circling the stone dial, of which there were three open levels connected to the towers. On each one there were tables and chairs, plush couches whose cushions were as fresh as if they were newly made, and open archways of green marble spanning over rows of mahogany bookcases.

Vaan whistled admiringly. "Wow."

"The power of the Gods has no bounds." Kang mused. "I suspect this place carries their blessing even now."

There was a sense of tranquility here that went beyond mortal things, as if we had stumbled upon a piece of heaven itself. No ghosts roamed here, nothing lay broken or imperfect. It must have been blessed.

My mind was abruptly sidetracked by an exclamation from Larsa as he spotted us from where he, Fran and Basch were standing on the first level of the stone dial. He waved us over urgently before turning back around to consult with Fran over a book set out before them on a pedestal. The Viera seemed almost pleased as she ran her one elegant finger along the lines of text across the page, her lips forming the words in a low murmur.

From the corners of my eyes Balthier was scowling deeply. While crossing the bridge Vaan and I were briefly sidetracked by the presence of large Koi in the pool. Their scales glistened metallically as they glided effortlessly along, nibbling at lily pads and other vegetation floating along the surface of the water.

Then we had reached the dial and Balthier offered his hand to lead me down the three steps onto the dial, a calculating look fleeting over his face. "After you, my lady." He said, smiling graciously.

I blushed despite myself and edged away, trying to hide my discomfort. Basch turned a sardonic look upon the sky pirate, who feigned innocence, and we filed to a stop. Balthier took an unnecessary step towards me, offering a clandestine wink, and spoke quietly into my ear, "It's your show now."

As if I weren't embarrassed enough already, now he was whispering conspiringly to me in front of everyone. No one seemed to make anything of it, aside from Basch at least, but I was deeply suspicious. Balthier was up to something, no question about it.

"Is everything alright?" Larsa asked, concerned.

I cleared my throat, flashing the sky pirate an annoyed look, and leveled Basch with a grim stare, "Sigmund followed us here."

Author's Notes: Well, things are developing all over the place now. Let's hope I can keep it from unraveling all over the place.

Again, thank you all for your encouragement - you have revived me from the doldrums. Take care and Happy Halloween!