Hells Open, Heavens Weep

by RoseDragonWitch

Sequel to 'Eyes Ever Heavensward.' Their adventure in Ishgard was over, as well as the end to the Dragonsong War. But fate won't let them rest yet. A new adventure is over the horizon, one that promises to bring just as much, if not even more bloodshed than over the fields of ice. Their last battle was about ending a war… this next one is all about liberation!

10. The Time Between the Seconds

Chapter 9: The Time Between the Seconds

In hindsight, Yugiri knew that she was acting reckless and that she would most likely be killed before the sun even rose tomorrow. But she was too angry to care about her own safety at that moment. The only thing that she could imagine was putting that monster down and sparing countless people's lives.

Not only Doma but the people of Ala Mhigo in Eorzea would be freed from his tyranny. She recalled what her friends had told her what happened when Zenos attacked the Resistance's headquarters. Her heart went out to them, and if she could, she would avenge the deaths of all those who fell to that monster's blade. She would press on, even if she had to do it on her own.

Yugiri left the House of the Fierce in a determined resolution, calling her messenger hawk to send word to their spies throughout the region. While her resolve was unwavering, she also knew that she had her limitations. It would be one thing to go after Zenos inside Doma Castle… but she had to know more of what his plans were for her to develop a strategy.

She went past Namai, ducking down into a small ravine just below the village in hopes of more privacy. It was one of the only few places around here that she knew wasn't being carefully watched by either the Garleans… or the Liberation Front.

To her relief, her hawk returned shortly, a tightly rolled-up script attached to its leg. When she untied it, she read out:

Zenos's arrival wasn't planned. The castle is unprepared and he has declined a full escort to inspect the Moon Gates this eve. He will leave tomorrow morning and return to Eorzea should it prove satisfactory.

So tonight will be her only chance. She quickly sent a message back, informing her spies to be wary and to inform her at once should anything change. But as soon as she sent her hawk off, it went flying past Claire's head, whom had appeared without her realizing. Perhaps she needed more training… she didn't even hear her footsteps as she approached.

Yugiri's body froze as Claire walked up. And, for a moment, Yugiri felt as though she was a young child who had been caught by her mother while she was sneaking treats for her and her brothers.

"…Did Gosetsu send you to stop me?" she asked, hiding the stabs of nervousness. To her relief, Claire shook her head at the question.

"Then you came of your own free will? I should be surprised if you agreed with my chosen course. No one else did," Yugiri told her truthfully, wondering why she chose to follow her here if it wasn't to stop her.

"I'll be lying if I said that I did," Claire answered back simply, but not showing any signs of anger or disapproval, which Yugiri was grateful for.

"But it is not as fanciful as they would have you believe. Scant moments ago, I received the crown prince's itinerary from one of our spies in the castle," she explained quickly, trying to reason why she was doing this even though she knew it was rash. She knew not what it was, but she was yearning to earn Claire's approval for her actions—or at the least her understanding.

"'Twould seem that Zenos has no desire to remain in Doma any longer than necessary," she went on, "He wishes to inspect the Moon Gates this very eve. His impatience is to our advantage. He arrived without warning and gave Yotsuyu no time to prepare. The whole castle is in state of upheaval. To avoid any delay, he has declined a full escort, and will be traveling with no more than a handful of soldiers. The kami could not have blessed us with more auspicious circumstances. I will kill him, Claire. I will."

They couldn't have asked for a better opportunity for them to strike and end this. She was given this chance and she wasn't going to waste it.

But Claire was shaking her head and said firmly, "Not alone."

"I know the odds," Yugiri told her imploringly, wondering if her friend would resort to force to stop her and was fully aware that she wouldn't be able to win should this break into a fight.

"I know what he is capable of, and that in an open confrontation, I will likely die," Yugiri admitted, her voice growing a little louder with every word as she pleaded for her to understand, "But if I do not—if I succeed, then countless lives will be saved. Doma, Ala Mhigo—everything will change! One life for that world is a price I would pay a thousand times over!"

Claire folded her arms, her eyes narrowing with an expression Yugiri had never seen on her before.

"…What? What is it?" Yugiri asked, now feeling confusion above all else. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Claire raised her eyebrows as if the answer was obvious, as if she was just waiting for her to put the pieces together herself.

Not alone…

Not… alone…

And suddenly it all clicked in her mind.

"…Do you mean to join me?" Yugiri asked slowly, unable to believe this.

Claire nodded back before telling her, "I don't agree with this. Yet… if this is the path you have chosen… I will go with you. I won't let you face him alone."

Even years later, she knew that words could never hope to describe what she felt at that moment. In fact, she felt the urge to hug her friend for her support through the waves of relief and gratitude welling up inside. If she had to be honest with herself, the idea of facing Zenos alone frightened her… but knowing that someone was there with her gave her more courage than she thought possible.

"Thank you," she finally choked out, unable to think of anything else she could say. "Thank you. I…I cannot well express what this means to me."

Yugiri fought the tears that she had been fighting all day before she raised her head and smiled. "We have much to discuss, but we can do so on the way," she explained. "Yuzuka Manor is some distance from here. We must hurry!"

She led her friend down through the ravine, quickly explaining more about the lay of the land and of where they were going. In fact, she was so focused on the task at hand that she didn't notice that there had been someone watching them from the tall flora that whole time…

Someone with wide and frightened eyes as he slowly stepped out of his hiding place.

Yugiri led Claire through the tiny creek that would guide them downwards to the southwest, closer to the Moon Gates, and slipping through a barred gate with broken bars before emerging right on the edge of the One River. She showed Claire where it was shallow enough for them to walk across the river, and they passed along to the tip of what was known as the Glittering Basin. This area was surrounded by the wreckage and rubble of the empire, including signs of the previously failed rebellion. They climbed over the hills and sands as they passed by more of the destroyed magitek remains and deep scars that marred the earth below their feet before reaching the other side. Once here, they were forced to swim the rest of the way to the very base of the Moon Gates.

Yugiri led her only a little further before passing by a slowly crumbling manor that a handful of namazu had made into their home. When she asked Claire if she knew anything about the namazu, Claire went on to explain how while they were in Kugane, searching for her and Gosetsu, they came across one who tried to sell them to the Imperials.

"Truly?" Yugiri asked in surprise. "Well, I bet that he regretted that."

"He did… especially after the kick that Lyse gave him," Claire added and Yugiri found herself laughing for the first time in a long time.

"Shame on Gosetsu for getting caught," she added with a shake of her head, "But to hear that he befriended his own guards and won his freedom as he did doesn't surprise me at all. He has always been a difficult person not to like."

They passed more of the ruins of a village before arriving at a small dock at the farthest edge of the peninsula. Hardly anyone lived in this area anymore aside from some fishermen, however it seemed as good enough place as any to discuss their plan for Zenos.

She turned back to Claire, who seemed to recognize what was coming.

"This is far enough. Let us discuss our plan of attack…" Yugiri said, suddenly deadly serious. After all, even if they were facing Zenos off the field of battle, he was still a dangerous foe and they had to be ready for anything. They had to play their part very carefully from here on out.

"Zenos's itinerary is as follows…" she explained, knowing how the inspections worked. "He will depart Doma Castle by ship and approach the Moon Gates. The magitek field will be deactivated briefly, allowing his vessel to pass. It will then continue on to these very docks, where he and his entourage will disembark."

Yugiri then looked around at the wide open area near the river with a slight frown as she realized, "As you can see, this area is not ideal for an ambush. Wide open, multiple avenues of escape. The manor is better suited to our needs. Let us split up and search for suitable hiding places."

If Claire had any traces of fear of wandering an area she knew so little about, she didn't show it as they left the docks and headed further into the ruins of what had once been a humble but beautiful town. They remained together for a few minutes before separating to find an ideal location.

But Yugiri had another reason for wanting to separate from her friend for just a few minutes…

She wandered the ruins as her mind went back to what had to have been a bustling town. She could almost see it as she wandered through the dust, picturing how it must have looked like so clearly in her mind. She recognized this part of the town where the markets would have once stood… where there were once stalls and merchants would have full of foods and other goods were now nothing more than splintered piles of wood. Houses that were once filled with people who were full of life and had families as they went about their days in content happiness while the children would run and play through the streets… instead, they were just empty shells where the wind echoed through like a moan. It was like the very soul of the town had been sucked right out the moment the shadow of the Empire cloaked over them.

A ghost town… that's all that was left.

And if it were up to Zenos or Yotsuyu, then that is all that will be found here in Doma. She may not have been born in these lands exactly… but she had come to love it and its people as if they were her own. Seeing this… knowing what was at stake… it strengthen her resolve. She wiped at her eyes, breathing hard before she went back to the matter at hand.

She tracked down Claire, who had already found the perfect place for them where they would be surrounded by walls that were filled with shadows and many different levels that were out of sight from the ground. Ideal for concealment and they would be able to see Zenos coming right this way from the rooftop with a view of the docks.

"We shall lie in wait here until Zenos arrives," Yugiri nodded in agreement after doing a quick check of the area. "As discussed, if all goes to plan, he shall fall with my first blow. If not, then the two of us will have to engage him in open combat. His escort is of no consequence, which means that we will have a two to one advantage. Nevertheless, he is not to be underestimated…"

She saw Claire nod in understanding, but then Yugiri also noticed something strange when she saw Claire's fingers trace her own shoulder and chest. She had done the same thing when back at the House of the Fierce when they explained more of Zenos's crimes when he attacked them at the Reach. But Yugiri did not ask about it, having a dark guess to what it was about.

"All that remains is to wait," she instead stated, "I trust that you are ready?"

Claire nodded again, and she was grateful of her stoic resolve, which seemed to have a strange calming effect on her. Together, the two of them climbed up the side of the ruined building, able to settle themselves up on the rooftop. Of course, with the sun still in the sky, albeit starting to sink lower and lower, they would have a time to wait.

They waited… the silence so loud to her ears that the tiniest creak seemed like thunder to her.

"It looks like rain," Claire said softly after waiting only a brief time. Yugiri looked up as well to see that she was right as she saw how the clouds were a stormy grey color and were beginning to roll in from the west. It looked like their good luck was starting to run low at this point… not that she believed that Zenos would delay his inspection of the gates due to a little rain… it just meant that it would be more uncomfortable for them to have to wait out in the dark.

"A little water won't kill us," she said, looking back to the docks in the distance. "Mayhap we will get lucky and this water will cause his armor to rust."

She could have sworn that she heard Claire chuckle behind her. After that, however, neither of them seemed to have been in the mood for talking as they waited for nightfall, where they were sure that Zenos would appear. Finally, when the sun had long since had gone down and they were cloaked in darkness, she spotted it in the distance. A small airship was slowly sailing over the Moon Gates before coming to rest at the docks and there were several people clambering out… one of whom towered over them all with such an imposing figure that she knew it could be no one else.

Yugiri's eyes narrowed as she fingered her blades at her sides. Zenos had finally appeared, and after doing a headcount, she saw that it was a slightly larger escort than she had been hoping for. Apart from Zenos, there were eight guards surrounding him like shields as they walked as well as to her surprise, Yotsuyu herself. She had only seen the woman a few times before, but there was no mistaking it.

A part of her couldn't help but itch at the thought of striking her as well, but she kept her mind purely focused on the armored man who was drawing steadily nearer.

"He comes," she said softly as the group paused at the edge of the town.

"Yes," Claire agreed from next to her. "Larger group than we thought. Even were he alone though, this would be no small feat. After seeing what he is capable of firsthand back at the Reach…"

She didn't finish, but Yugiri knew what she was going to say. That Zenos wasn't the type of—she was loathed to use the word—man who would be ambushed so easily. Claire then looked back to Yugiri and reminded her, "It's still not too late to turn back if you wish it. No one would think you a coward if you chose so."

Yugiri knew that. She knew that this would be their one last chance to leave and live… but if she ran now, she would never forgive herself. She was under no illusions in the fact that there was a good chance that they could both be killed here. But she wasn't afraid to die, for she meant what she said before in that she would do whatever it took to free the people from their torment.

Yugiri shook her head, ready to go. However…

"I have made my choice and I will defend it with blade in hand," she said firmly, her eyes focused solely on Zenos. "But… I want you to swear to me that should anything happen to me, you must leave on your own."

Claire did not answer as Yugiri went on, finally glancing back at her, "I know that you won't want to. But I can't let you die as well because of my decision. Should I fall… swear to me that you will leave and save yourself."

"You know I can't," Claire answered back. Before Yugiri could argue back, she noticed Claire's eyes suddenly shut before she reached her fingers up to her ear and pulling her linkpearl out of it. She watched as Claire looked sadly down at it for a moment and said quietly, "Alphinaud…"

"They must have noticed by now that we are missing then," Yugiri said in realization. "It's now or never."

They looked at the other and a silent form of understanding seemed to connect them. They nodded together—fully aware of what may or may not happen here tonight. Still, they had come too far to turn back now. So, they jumped from the rooftop, sticking to the shadows as they waited for him to come to them.

*Alphinaud*

Alphinaud thanked the merchants who delivered him safely to the outer most edge of Othard once they stopped at the shore. Already with the news that the Imperials had been forced out of the Ruby Sea—albeit temporarily—there were forms of trading going on and some merchants were making the most of the situation while they could.

Alphinaud had been most fortunate to meet with several travelling salesmen in Kugane, and after letting slip that he was well acquainted with Hancock and his place of work, they were more than happy to aid him in gaining travel across the Ruby Sea. The journey from Kugane had been smooth enough, stopping only to meet with several pirates dressed in blue and paid them a heavy sack of coins before they were allowed to continue on.

As they were leaving though, some of the pirates pointed out to him, and called out as if they knew him. Guessing that they were of the Confederacy, he understood at once that they thought him to be his sister. He had hoped that their different clothes would be enough for others to tell them apart by now…?

Still, he was polite as they were allowed on their way without incident and he soon found himself at the shores of Othard where the merchants came to shore and dropped him off before they travelled on for their future business planes.

Alphinaud waved them off in gratitude before he continued on foot the rest of the way up the steep shores and into the lands of Doma itself. He couldn't help but struck by how different that it was compared to the lands of Eorzea and felt a surge of wanderlust to explore the entire land from the tall forests of bamboo to the soaring mountains shrouded in mists.

He contacted the others, whom were staying in a place called the House of the Fierce—the headquarters for the Doman Liberation Front—and was glad to hear when Lyse informed him that they had made it there in one piece. She had also been kind enough to greet him at the outskirts of the village of Namai before guiding him to a deep pool at the bottom of the valley. He had sworn that she had been joking when she told him that he would have to dive down to reach the other side.

He could not swim and felt his mouth go very dry at the thought as she asked him what the problem was.

"Right, Alisaie said that you can't swim," Lyse couldn't help but point out and he felt himself going red and shook his head in his hands.

"Do I want to know…?" he asked in embarrassment.

"Just that she said that you weren't very buoyant," she grinned and he groaned.

"Remind me to hit her with a Ruin spell or two when I next see her," he muttered as he glanced down at the water anxiously.

"Don't worry," Lyse told him as she grabbed his hand. "Just take a deep breath and I'll take you there."

He could only be grateful that the swim was short so he could keep his nightmare to a reasonable time period. He kept his eyes closed as they went below the water and he felt her dragging him after her. His lungs were burning by the time that he felt his head break through the surface of the water and he breathed in deeply, sucking in air as if he never tasted anything so sweet. He didn't dare open his eyes though until he felt Lyse pulling him to the side of the pool and pull him out. When he did, he found himself to be greeted by the door that led to the House of the Fierce.

"There has got to be an easier way to get in here," he panted as he wrung out his jacket.

"Well, to be honest, they told us that there are several other ways to get in and out, but they're blocked for now," Lyse admitted. "They have to be careful after all. But come on, I'll bring you to the others."

They entered, where he was immediately greeted by the Doman Liberation Front and Gosetsu was already there beaming at the sight of him.

"Ah! At last, our young friend has arrived," he chuckled as he came over. "Good to see you well. How are matters in Kugane?"

"Well enough," Alphinaud told him honestly. "I found out some new information that could be of help to us. But first, let us gather everyone. I wish to find out more of what is going on here as well. Did you find Yugiri?"

Gosetsu was more than happy to tell him of the rest of their journey here from the Ruby Sea as Lyse went to look for the others. Gosetsu informed him that they met up with Yugiri, who had returned from her mission, and that he learned that his master, Lord Hien, was alive and well in a place called the Azim Steppe. Apparently, it was a vast wilderness where several nomadic tribes of Xaela travelled across, and he intended to set out as soon as possible to meet up with his master.

"I am sure that we will soon enough," Alphinaud promised as Lyse soon reappeared with Alisaie at her side.

"Hello, brother dear," Alisaie said lightly as soon as she saw him. "I'm impressed that you managed to make it here. I hope the swim wasn't too difficult?"

"I managed just fine, Alisaie," he muttered through gritted teeth, struggling to keep a professional tone as he saw her smirk. He cleared his throat before adding, "Tataru sends all her love as well. I was just asking how everything was progressing here. And I want to gather everyone here before I can discuss to you what I have learned."

He looked around expectantly when he realized that there were a couple missing.

"Where's Claire?" he asked them curiously. "And Yugiri? I was told that you all met up?"

The words were no sooner out of his mouth before he knew that there was something wrong. They were all looking at each other with a hint of worry before they explained what happened earlier that day. Imperials had been rounding up villagers from this area and had been taken to a nearby castrum before Claire and Yugiri had gone after them to help aid their escape. Apparently they managed to rescue them with little trouble… yet, when they returned… Yugiri had been acting very different.

"I don't know what happened, but she was not acting like herself when she returned," Gosetsu finished in worry. "That was when we received word that the crown prince of those Imperial curs had come to Doma."

"Zenos is here?" Alphinaud gasped in shock. "Why would he come all the way here? Does he know of our involvement and…?"

"Nay," Gosetsu said with a shake of his head. "'Tis for an inspection. Nothing more. Yugiri was set upon using this opportunity to try and take that dog's head. T'was after we argued about such a foolish idea did she leave in a huff."

After letting that shocking bit of news sink in, Alphinaud said slowly, "Full well do I understand her frustration. But this is not the way to go about it. Zenos took on practically all of the Resistance back at the Reach, and we were all left humiliated. I know not what it is, but he is no normal foe."

"Something that we all agree on, brother," Alisaie nodded. "We all reminded her that if we were to defeat someone like him, it will not be through a reckless course of luck."

"Where is she now?" Alphinaud asked then.

"Went off somewhere to cool down," Alisaie offered with a shrug. "I am hopeful that she will see that this isn't the time to try such a plan. But that had been a couple bells ago."

"She may have spoken out, but she is no fool," Gosetsu clarified. "Were this merely a matter of personal revenge, I would not stand in her way, for I also feel the call of vengeance. Yet, this is something she must come to terms with on her own."

"But where is Claire in all this?" Alphinaud asked in worry.

"I spoke to her myself after Yugiri left," Gosetsu explained. "She seemed worried and decided to go after her. I had hoped that she would have been able to speak reason to her once she had time to calm down but…?"

"But we haven't seen or heard from them in a while now," Lyse finished up. "I'm sure they're fine though. They aren't the type of people to act so impulsively like that… right?"

"Well," Alphinaud frowned. "I know that but…?"

He had a bad feeling about all of this. Still, there was no reason for them to panic yet. They were gone for a time, but it could be that they were waylaid by some random creature on their way back. At any rate, he hadn't heard anything from them over the linkpearl; hopefully it meant that they were fine and felt no need to contact them for help.

He went around the House of the Fierce, meeting the other members of the Liberation Front and studying up on all the information that they had so far. But as time slowly ticked by, their worry only continued to grow.

Lyse was pacing around, cracking her knuckles together and seemed to be fighting the urge to break something. Gosetsu was hardly faring any better as he was practicing his sword techniques against a wooden dummy—looking up every time that he heard someone enter the room. Alisaie was studying the broken aetheryte crystal, discussing with him the chances of being able to fix it.

Finally, it was Lyse who stopped in her pacing and went to go check outside. When she returned she said, "Everyone, its pitch dark out and starting to rain. We should have heard back from them by now."

"Hmm," Gosetsu said with a frown as he sheathed his blade. "This boles ill."

Alphinaud reached up to his linkpearl and tried to contact with Claire. They all watched as his scowl only deepened the longer that he tried. Finally, after several long minutes of constant calling, he had given up and said anxiously, "It's no use. Either she's ignoring me or she's taken her linkpearl out. She's not answering."

"That's really not like her," Lyse muttered slowly and they waited for several more long minutes in silence as they were trying to figure out what was going on.

"Lord Gosetsu!" called a voice from the shadows, and Alphinaud jumped until he saw a shinobi appear seemingly out of nowhere. The shinobi jumped down and bent low in a bow as Gosetsu approached, asking what was so urgent. Leaving the two of them to talk, Alphinaud turned back to his sister and Lyse, asking more of where they thought that the two of them would be right now.

"I know that there are a lot of monsters in this area, but it shouldn't be too much for them to handle," Lyse frowned. "Mayhaps they're back in Namai to talk to the people there or wait until the rain stops…?"

"Since when as bad weather ever stopped people like them before?" Alisaie asked darkly. "At any rate, they would at least inform us that they are well or if they are running late. Perhaps they're just scouting out the land since we are so new to the area…?"

Alphinaud frowned even deeper as he felt his heart grow sick with worry as he reached up to his ear to try the linkpearl again. It wasn't like he didn't trust her or think her incapable… but she could have at least answered him and let him know that she was safe.

"Oh, great kami!"

They looked back to see Gosetsu looking horrified at the shinobi as he demanded, "Are you certain about this? Speak quickly!"

"I report only what I saw with my own eyes, Lord Gosetsu," the shinobi explained hurriedly. "There is no doubt! And he had already departed from Doma Castle at this point."

"What is it?" Lyse asked quickly as Gosetsu was deadly pale. "Did something happen?"

Gosetsu turned to them as he explained hurriedly, "This man is one of our spies from the field. He said that Zenos was to inspect the Moon Gates tonight before leaving for Eorzea at dawn."

"Moon Gates?" Alphinaud questioned, but Gosetsu had went on, "He sent this information to Yugiri earlier this day, expecting her to relay this news to us."

"This is the first time that I've heard of it," Alisaie stated. "If he is only here to check the gates then he would be long gone before we could even come up with a plan anyway. There is no choice but to let this chance slide. Surely Yugiri knows this…?"

"That's where our problems are!" Gosetsu boomed out. "That imprudent child! She had gone on ahead with her plans to take the crown prince's head."

They stared at him as the words seemed to echo in their heads. He was grateful when Lyse was able to voice what they were all thinking.

"Is she mad?!" Lyse demanded loudly. "She can't do that on her own! She's gonna get herself killed!"

"Are you sure about this?" Alisaie stepped in, wanting answers.

"I saw her with mine own eyes, my lady," the shinobi answered as he spoke up again. "I keep watch in the southern reaches. I was just exchanging the watch with another of my fellow shinobi when I discovered her and another keeping watch in the shadows near the docks."

"Her and… another…?" Alphinaud repeated as his eyes widened when he realized what was going on.

"You mean Claire's with her?!" Lyse cried out in horror. "Oh, please tell me that she was there trying to stop her!"

"So she joined with Yugiri and went on ahead together to ambush and try to kill Zenos?!" Alisaie cried out with wide eyes when the shinobi could only shrug helplessly at Lyse's question. "What in the name of the Twelve are they thinking?! Or rather, not thinking?!"

"Apparently," Alphinaud said, feeling himself go deadly white. The image of Zenos standing there at the Reach appeared so clearly in his mind and the overwhelmingly power that he possessed nearly made him sick.

"I had learned that Zenos had left the castle by the time I returned here" the shinobi declared. "Yotsuyu is also with them and they don't have a full escort as well. The area in which they are hiding is an abandoned town, full of walls and hiding places with a low chance of escape. But I fear that is also a double-edge blade."

No way out for them or Zenos… they trapped themselves in with a monster. A monster who's power was beyond reasoning…? Eventually, the shock wore off and Alphinaud's mind started to work again. When it did, he also happened to find his voice.

"What are you all waiting for?!" he yelled out at the soldiers around him, making them jump at his sudden cry. "WE NEED TO GET OUT THERE NOW! SUMMON A SQUADRON! THERE MAY BE TIME TO STOP THEM! DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING? GET TO WORK!"

He didn't care who he was yelling at so long as there was work being done. He knew that the odds of them arriving in time to drag the two away were slim, but what other choice was there? He couldn't just stand back and let them get killed without at least trying.

He snapped at everyone, seeing anyone standing around for even a second wasn't spared his wrath as preparations were being made. The shinobi afield were being contacted at that point and warned what was happening and to be ready for the worse, while Gosetsu was already out the door as he raced out ahead of the others.

Alphinaud was ready to go as well, yet something stopped him in his tracks.

"NO!" screamed a familiar voice after he paused to catch his breath from his yelling. When he looked up he saw that Alisaie and Lyse were both practically screaming at each other on the other side of the room.

"I'm here to fight!" Lyse yelled out furiously, actually looking like she might hit Alisaie at that moment. "You can't tell me to wait here!"

"Yes, I know that, Lyse," Alisaie yelled back. "But this is not the time. Right now, our biggest concern is to make sure that our friends survive the night! Not to rush headlong without a plan!"

"You're going!" Lyses screamed out. "I can fight! How can you just expect me to sit here and…?"

"Don't think you are the only person who cares about Doma and Ala Mhigo!" she roared back angrily. "WE ALL CARE! But sometimes there are things that we can't solve by throwing a punch! You need to realize this or you won't be able to save anyone!"

Lyse stopped yelling at those words, unable to come up with a good comeback but was still looking furious.

"Now is not the time, Lyse," Alisaie repeated and Alphinaud could have sworn he saw his sister's hands go to her weapon at her side, as if ready to draw to stop Lyse if that was what it took. "Every second that you waste here arguing, is precious time that we could be using to help the others! Now swear to me that you will remain here!"

Lyse was fuming before she turned on her heel and went stomping off. As if she couldn't stand the thought of being with Alisaie another moment.

Once she was gone, Alisaie turned her eyes to his own. He recognized that look at once as he approached.

"No…" he said.

"Alphinaud, don't make this harder than it has to be," Alisaie scolded. "You are the only one who can keep things from getting out of hand right now. And you need to keep an eye on Lyse. Restrain her if you have to. We'll go and help Claire and Yugiri."

She gazed around her at everyone still running about them before whispering to him quietly, "I know that you want to rush to their aid. But you are needed here, to make sure that everyone here is ready for the worse. But you must stay here… for now. Please… you know this to be right."

He knew that, of course. That didn't mean that he had to like it though.

"I promise, we will do everything we can to help them," Alisaie promised him. "I'm not going to let your beloved get herself killed."

He barely noticed her teasing as he turned away.

"Just… just swear that you will contact us," he said stiffly, his voice thick. "If something happens, I'll be out there and you can't stop me. And I swear that if I find out that she's been harmed in any way… I will take Zenos's head myself."

He couldn't see the look that Alisaie was giving him at that moment, but she was smiling warmly, as if his words brought her great happiness.

"I like this new you," she informed him. "And I also pity the man who tries to court her with you around. Normally, I'd ask if you ever told her this, but that can wait for later. I'll contact you soon. Be ready."

He only nodded stiffly as he allowed her to leave with a handful of others as well, preparing to watch from a distance and act only should everything fall around them. Alphinaud was left with Lyse, continuing to give orders at everyone to be doing something useful as he felt his aching heart long to rush in as well.

They could only wait though… and so they waited. He was grinding his teeth as he ran his hand through his hair until it was a tangled mess but he didn't care. He was constantly fighting off the surge of sickness that was threatening to break out of him as dread seemed to weigh him down like bricks.

Lyse wasn't faring any better.

Furious at being made to stay behind, she was now punching at a few wooden striking dummies with such viciousness that she tore two of them apart with her bare hands and was now working on a third.

Alphinaud thought more and more about why Claire suddenly supported such a careless act. Surely she knew that the odds of them being able to succeed with it were so slim that it was practically laughable? Why?

For Yugiri's sake? What happened to make them resort to such extremes? He wished that he could ask someone else but…?

At that moment, he didn't care they were able to kill Zenos not… if their friends could be returned to them alive and in one piece, he would be thankful. So, he began to pray… to the Twelve… to the Kami… to whoever would listen to him he prayed that they all make it back to them.

He didn't sleep at all that night, wanting to remain up until he received news. It wasn't until dawn began to creep did he, at long last, hear his linkpearl buzzing in his ear. As soon as he jumped to his feet, Lyse, who had been working on destroying her fifth training dummy and was dripping in sweat, paused as she looked up.

"Alisaie?" he asked, bracing himself for the worst.

"I'm here," he heard his sister's voice in his ear. "Sorry for not contacting you earlier. A lot had happened. I scarcely know where to start."

"Were you able to get to them?" Alphinaud asked as Lyse ran up, worry written over her face.

"We weren't able to make it in time to stop them confronting our 'guests'," Alisaie explained. "They were fighting Zenos by the time that we arrived."

"And…?" he asked, his heart thumping so loudly in his chest that he was surprised that no one else seemed to hear it.

"They're both alive," Alisaie confirmed. "Bruised and bloody, but alive. We're all back in Namai where they are being treated. Zenos, for whatever reason, chose to leave us alive for some reason. All in all, it could have been a worse outcome."

"Oh, thank the Twelve," he gasped and when she saw his smile, Lyse actually laughed as well, relief all over her face as well. "Don't move," he added to his sister. "We will be there shortly to join you. In the meantime you can fill me in on the details."

"That's a big request, let me start by telling you what the villagers were doing by the time we got there," Alisaie said as Lyse was already running to the exit and he followed.

*Yugiri* (Earlier)

They watched from the shadows as Zenos came a little further out. She had done a headcount a few times just to make sure that she had the number down right. Apart from Zenos and Yotsuyu, there were eight guards in his escort. At one point she saw them pause and Zenos was looking to the sky, as if he sensed that he was being watched. She paused just then as she listened to what they were saying.

"The village is not far, my lord. If it please you, we shall escort you there directly," the Pilus Prior said. When Zenos did not answer right away, fear seemed to settle on the Imperials, several actually backing away from him. So… it would seem even his own men fear for their lives around him. A true leader inspired those who followed them… someone who would be prepared to be the first person to lay down their life for others.

"Hmph," Zenos finally grunted sending a shiver of loathing down her spine. "Less a province than a graveyard. The rotting husk of a broken nation, devoid of proper sport." He then sighed irritably before adding, "But as His Radiance wishes…"

"Y-Yes, of course, my lord! A-And may I say how terribly sorry we are that you had to come so far!" the Pilus Prior choked in fear.

"We labored long to sow the seeds of hatred, of fear ─ to train them as beasts. Now we shall see the harvest," Zenos went on and Yugiri felt rage once more. Her hands curl on the handles of her daggers as she imagined sinking them into Zenos's neck. "Let there be savage beasts baying for blood, and not hollow-eyed prey cowering in the dark, or there will be no joy in this hunt."

Savage beasts were they? Well, if that was what he wanted, she would be more than happy to gift to him blood.

The escort continued into the abandoned town, hopefully none the wiser of what was waiting for them.

Yugiri crept along silently as she continued to look over the party below her.

There were four guards in the front and four in the back… they shouldn't be trouble at all to deal with. The only problem was that the two of them were outnumbered. But, rather than charge out, she decided to weaken the rear guard so that she would have a better chance at getting to Zenos. Without making a sound, she stepped down until she was crouching on the rooftop of a building, waiting for them to pass by underneath her.

First the front guard, followed by Zenos and Yotsuyu—having to restrain herself from striking until the moment—and waited for them to pass until the last man of the group was directly below her. She jumped down right behind him and struck him in the back. He fell to the ground without making a sound… though she had already jumped back into the shadows before his legs gave out from under him. Her actions didn't go unnoticed completely however. One of the other members of the rear guard had paused at that. Either he heard her, or sensed that something was wrong, he turned back to find his comrade lying there. But he never even had a chance to cry out, for she jumped behind him and silenced him as well.

Two of the rear escorts were already down. Only six more… but she didn't need to worry about taking out the others if she could just take Zenos. Without the other two men in the way, she had a clear shot and so she flew through the air… her blades raised and shining…

But when she struck at Zenos, he was ready for her, his hand going to one of the blades that hung at his enormous sheath that a normal man wouldn't even have been able to lift, and swung up blocking her attack with his sword.

Completely taken aback, her eyes widen as he held her aloft with just one arm. The blast from the blade was enough that she was propelled backwards, causing her to hit the ground and slide a few yalms before she was able to jump back to her feet, her blades still drawn.

The Imperial Pilus Prior in the front drew his sword as he cried out squeakily, "AMBUUUSH!"

"Shinobi!?" Yotsuyu gasped, backing away. "And me without my brute…"

But Yugiri's eyes were focused solely on Zenos Yae Galvus, who was looking at her up and down. And then it was as if… he was disappointed in what he saw there before he sighed, "How weak you are. Is this the sum of your hate?"

The insult to her pride was enough for her to scream, "This is only the beginning! For Lord Kaien! For Doma!"

That was when they heard the startled scream and they looked back to see that Claire had appeared and took out the front guard for her.

Zenos didn't seem impressed with her either as he causally spoke to Yotsuyu, informing her, "Mayhap I shall test this new blade of yours. Let us hope it is to my liking, lest your misfortunes compound," he then looked back to Yugiri and decided, "Then again, I am loath to expend such effort on the unworthy. Come ─ earn the honor."

And so they began what could only be described as a deadly dance of sorts.

"Zenos yae Galvus! You will die by my hand!" Yugiri screamed as she charged, but before she could even get close, the remaining guards blocked her and began fighting.

"First you must kill my men. You can do that, can you not?" he asked back as Claire took Zenos on herself.

It was chaos after that, she could barely keep track of anything that was happening. Zenos was striking at the ground with his blade, causing lethal attacks that erupted violently and cracked the earth. Every time she tried to rush out to her friend's aid, the guards blocked her, continuing to battle her on all sides and made it all but impossible for her to take a step forward. With no choice, she sliced apart fearlessly with the intent of finishing them off as quickly as she could before she could have her chance to go at Zenos.

At one point she heard Yotsuyu yelling, "What are you doing, you fools!? There are only two of them!"

Zenos seemed to ignore her words though as he slowly began making his way towards Claire. "Hm," he asked as he was observing her, "How much longer must you make me wait?"

Oh, what she wouldn't give to make him pay for the smugness in his voice. But he stuck his blade at the ground, causing an earthquake with its might before unleashing a powerful wave of wind-like aether that almost blew her over. Then several pools of dark aether seemed to erupt like geysers around them, dealing heavy damage to anyone who stood near them when they exploded.

Yugiri focused on the barrage of spells and blades that were being rained down upon her at once, unable to fully keep watch of the battle between the Warrior of Light and Zenos. But she couldn't help but find her eyes drawn to the battle, watching how two powerful warriors went at each other… the power… the precision… how every step they took was as graceful as it was deadly… she couldn't believe that battle could ever be something thought of as beautiful yet…?

At one point even Zenos himself seemed to be drawing into the battle.

"Very well. I suppose you have earned this…" he chuckled as their blades clashed. Hearing that laugh was enough to cause her to completely lose it.

"This is not a game, you twisted, arrogant bastard!" she screamed, allowing some of the colorful language she learned from her time in Limsa Lominsa slip through as she threw her blades to the ground. This attack had to do it… it had to…

It was an attack that was so powerful that oftentimes one could only use it in a large party of comrades to help her control it.

Chimatsuri…

She began chanting and performing her Mudra's in a special order… aether flying up around her like white fire as it took on a new form. The ghostly forms of katana began to emerge before her very eyes as Zenos began coming towards here now. This was all she could do… she would unleash all the strength she had left into this one attack and end him once and for all…

"This day you die!" she said determinedly. She then allowed her power to fly as the dozen blades threw themselves straight at Zenos. She felt lightheaded and weak as her power faded and the attack struck at her foe…

What happened next, she did not know.

All she did know where his words that struck at her as painfully as if she were stabbed.

"So empty," he said.

The attack that came flying back at her though made her feel as if she had been struck by a magitek machine and stomped into mud.

She fell to her knees as she wheezed painfully. Gasping for air in her starved lungs, her vision going blurry, she lifted her suddenly heavy eyelids to try and make out what was going on. Her attack didn't seem to have even slowed him down as he turned back to Claire, who was the only other one left standing after that attack took her and his own men down.

Zenos's attention was focused solely on her as he seemed to purr, "Well done, beast. You have earned the right to look on the Ame no Habakiri."

And he then replaced his one blade as he reached for another… a sword colored in such a shade of crimson that it looked as if it was dyed with blood.

Let us put you to the proof," he decided as he held up his blade and the shadowy copies of Zenos appeared about him and the sword itself was now pulsating with a power so bright that it was as if the sun had come out.

Even Yotsuyu was taken aback by the sight of it and whispered, "What…what is this…? Kami forfend…"

No… this couldn't end… not like this. She did not come all this way to fall here!

"No! I can still fight, I can still…still…" but she felt blood inside her mouth as she spit it up. "No, I must fight on… I must…"

But her body would no longer obey her as she fell over and her head collided with the mud as she coughed.

"Run beast, run," she heard that monster taunt. "Don't stop now…"

"Run…" Yugiri croaked out as her vision faded… hoping against hope that her friend heard her plea to escape. But her eyes shut and she fell into blackness.

It was when the rain was hitting her face did she start to come to. When she finally opened her eyes to see where she was, she stared in horror at what was there. They were still in the middle of the abandoned town… surrounded by the bodies of the guard and with Yotsuyu still standing off to the side. But it was the sight of seeing Claire on her knees and was glaring up at Zenos… who had removed his helm and was looking down at her.

He had threw his helm to the side as if it meant nothing to him as he continued looking down at Claire, who was struggling to get back up.

Yet, it were the words that he said next though had shocked her more than anything else did that night.

"Hear me, hero. Endure. Survive. Live."

*Zenos*

She was good. At the least, she lasted much longer than most ever had against him. But in the end, he was growing tired of playing around with her and decided that he had his fun for the evening.

"You're better than most, I'll grant you that," he said to the woman who almost seemed to dance through the air as her dangers glinted like the cold hands of death. She was a decent enough of a warrior… "But not good enough. This ends now."

He brought down one of his strongest attacks… one that had brought some of the so-called 'greatest warriors of this era' with one blow. To his surprise though, she took his blow head on… and for a moment, he felt as though he stuck against a brick wall and he heard his new blade let out a ringing sound in the process, as if threatening to break apart. Not only that, he felt his eyebrows quirk at that, realizing that the attack—which he was trying to kill her with—did not land the killing blow like he had planned. While it had brought her to her knees at long last, it did not slice her apart like he thought it would.

There was something familiar to him in how she took that blow… and that was when he realized that he had seen this before.

"Ahhh…I remember you. Ala Mhigo," he said as the memory came back and he finally recognized the woman. "The champion of the savages."

He could not see her face from where she crouched in the dirt, but he knew that she had to be the same one. In the last few weeks in Ala Mhigo, he had heard the whispers how all of Eorzea seemed to be holding their breath. Apparently their precious champion had not been seen by anyone there for some time and there was talk that something may have happened to her. A part of him had even wondered if she had later succumbed to the injuries that he had dealt to her or she had gone into hiding.

He noticed that her head was raised slightly, and judging from the angle, she was gazing at his new sword. Well, she seemed to recognize a masterpiece of a weapon if nothing else. He could almost feel as if this sword had a life all its own—practically radiating power from the blade and penetrating his armor so that he could feel it spread over his entire body. He could commend Yotsuyu for this gift, he would give her that much for gifting him such a fine sword.

Perhaps it would be appropriate that he coat this new blade with this warrior's blood? He raised it up, it practically singing in his hands as if the weapon itself was thirsting for carnage. He would deal the killing blow this time… but…?

Clink…

That tiny sound stopped him dead in his tracks for he had not expected it. It had come from the tip of one of his ornamental horns from his helmet as it broke and fell to the ground. Once he realized this, he paused, almost moving in a dreamlike state as his fingers went up to feel the missing piece.

Fascinating…

Slowly, he pulled off his skeletal helm to look at the broken horn with his own eyes. There was no mistake… this helmet had been made of some of the strongest metals in the world… in all the battles and wars he had fought it, no one had ever been able to even scratch his armor. And yet, here it was, clearly broken.

Zenos then looked down to the woman on the ground, who slowly raised her head. And when he looked at her face for the first time without through the eyeholes of his helm, he saw them again. He had wanted to forget it since the Reach, but it wouldn't go away… those eyes. He kept seeing those eyes.

"Oh…how right I was to spare your life," he said at last before he began to smile. The two just looked on at each other as this strange, foreign feeling began to spread throughout his chest. This was not something that he had ever felt before, so he knew not what to call it. But he relished in this new feeling that seemed to mix in with his excitement and thrill of battle.

He then dropped the helmet, for some reason, having no desire to ever wear it again as he spoke to this warrior, whose name he did not even recall.

"Hear me, hero. Endure. Survive. Live," he said, almost taunting her so. He saw those hate-filled eyes for him change for a moment to confusion as he grinned even wider. He knew that he found something that he suspected that night at the Reach. He found someone different in that moment when she had broken his sword when he failed—for the first time in his life—to land a killing blow.

"For the rush of blood, for the time between the seconds ─ live," he told her, being deadly serious this time. He knew that this warrior would only grow stronger and he wanted to see that. He wanted to experience this thrill inside him that caused his heart to race and feel so alive again.

"For the sole pleasure left to me in this empty, ephemeral world ─ live!" he all but commanded. He was so focused on her, that he barely paid any attention to the weakling who was behind him, struggling to get back to her feet. But he heard her charging in before he flicked his blade back out and blocked her once again.

In mild irritation, he looked away from the warrior as the weak little shinobi was thrown back into the mud, rolling over several times and laying face-down.

"You are not worthy," he said to her. He would let this warrior live with the promise that she would return one day to fight him once she was even stronger. But this weak little one? Barely even worth the time to kill her. But he figured that he would leave the other warrior with some incentive. He would kill her friend, a harsh reminder that she hadn't been strong enough.

So, he slowly began to walk over to her, his sword held up as he planned to make it quick. But as he neared her, an arrow struck at the ground right at his feet. Turning his head, he saw that there was a crowd of normal villagers suddenly standing there. This did take him by surprise—he supposed that he had been so focused on the warrior that he hadn't noticed anything else happening around him. These pathetic villagers were all holding up some kind of tool or weapon when it was obvious they had little idea how to use them.

Yet here they were… standing against him.

And the one in front of a boy, dressed in red, and holding a bow in his hands as he reached for another arrow.

"Get away from them, you imperial dog!" the boy yelled out without a trace of fear.

At the sound of his voice, the little shinobi at his feet raised her head and was wheezing out desperately, "No, don't… You must…you must flee!"

Slightly interested in why they were here, Zenos stood and listened as the boy was now yelling out, "We're not going anywhere! Do you hear me!? We're not running away! What you're doing is stupid and reckless and I never wanted any part of it, but here we are!"

Yes… but why? He saw the boy's face contort with pain before he began ranting, "I've spent my whole life hating myself ─ for every time they made me beg, for every time I held my tongue to protect the people I love. And then you came along and reminded me of all the things I never said and never did, and it was even worse! I would have given anything to forget, to walk away, but I knew that I'd never be able to live with the guilt."

Truly? That was their reason? They should have stayed at home and cowered inside their huts if that was the case.

The boy then looked up as he declared proudly, "So we came ─ all of us! For you, for ourselves ─ for Doma!"

He could not be certain, but he almost swore he heard a sharp intact of breath from below him to the weakling shinobi… as if she was fighting tears as he looked to all the other nods of agreement from the other villagers.

So pitiful.

"Death is death, regardless of the reason," Zenos said, his interest fading. Yet, if they were all ready to die… who was he to deny it? "Yet you seem determined to die, intruding upon this sacred ground, turning weapons you can scarcely wield upon me. Your lives will not even begin to redress the balance."

He turned his attention to the villagers, ready to slaughter them all in one blow when another voice cried out, getting his attention.

"How wrong you are!" shouted a feminine voice this time.

That was when he spotted a young elezen girl with her long, white hair tied back in a braid appear from the bamboo around them. She held aloft a rapier as a light burst forth from it, striking at the warrior from where she remained on the ground. Healing magicks it would seem. That was when the loud samurai he recognized as Gosetsu also sped up from nowhere. He passed the villagers before stepping in between him and the pathetic shinobi still at his feet. The samurai held his blade aloft before smoke clouded all their eyes. But he could still hear even as his vision disappeared.

"Go, now!" the same girl from before commanded, "Gosetsu ─ see to Yugiri!"

"Aye!" he heard the samurai yell back before the sounds of running footsteps and cries were heard. He could hear Yotsuyu coughing and yelling from next to him, "I can't see a damn thing… Someone stop them!"

No… he would let them go. Now wasn't the right time. Just this once… he would let them all live. It would be his gift to the warrior. She would know that he could have killed them all this evening, but he would allow her time to continue sharpening her claws. He smirked as turned and headed back the way that he had come.

Ignoring Yotsuyu's confused whimpers behind him, he continued forward. There was no need to worry.

That beast will come to him when the time was right.

*Yugiri*

Yugiri was groaning, fighting back the pain as they tended to her injuries at the side of the river.

"It's all right," Isse said worriedly as he pulled out a small water pouch. "Here, have some water…"

He passed it to her as she drank gratefully, feeling like her insides had been burned and broken.

"'Tis naught that will not heal with time," Gosetsu said reassuringly as Alisaie was behind them, mending Claire's injuries.

"I don't think we were followed…Gods… I have no idea what was going through that man's head, but I am heartily glad he decided to leave," Alisaie said as she looked around before she added to Claire, "Oh, and don't thank us. Thank Alphinaud. He's at the House of the Fierce, patiently awaiting your gratitude."

Claire tilted her head in confusion as Alisaie grinned and told her with a laugh, "You should've seen the way he turned pale when he heard about Yugiri's plan ─ and how you of all people had decided to help her. He was in such a panic, barking orders, calling for a squadron to be assembled─"

"As were you," Gosetsu reminded her, causing Alisaie to blush and Claire to smile.

"I was rather composed, as I recall," she said firmly as there were chuckles all around them. Knowing that they had escaped with their lives had caused them all to feel light-headed with happiness.

"Though that is neither here nor there…" Alisaie finished as the villagers were all beginning to leave, all talking excitedly with each other.

"Can you believe it? We faced the crown prince himself and lived to tell the tale!" Isse gasped, his voice filled with awe as he thought back to what they had just done. "You've no idea what this means for us. Everyone's talking about getting more weapons and armor and…and… And we're not going to stop until we've taken back our homeland! Ah, right. Getting a bit ahead of ourselves, aren't we? We've got wounded to tend to first. We should get back to the village!"

He was already running towards Namai, promising that he would have everything ready for them when they returned.

"Good, let us quit this place while we can," Gosetsu agreed, glancing down at her expectantly and asked, "Yugiri?"

"I… can manage on my own," Yugiri said as she forced herself to stand upright even though she felt as though all of her bones had were broken. "Was anyone else hurt?"

"Just you two," Alisaie reassured her as Claire walked passed them on her own. If she was in any pain, she hid it well as they began to make their way north towards Namai.

"Honestly, when I heard that you two had gone on ahead with the thought of trying to kill Zenos, I could have sworn I misheard," Alisaie was scolding Claire as they walked. "You, of all people, should have known better. Why he chose to let us all go like that, I don't know, but I'm not complaining. Honestly, I thought that you were the one person I didn't have to worry about doing anything crazy like that." Her eyes suddenly widened and she moaned, "Oh gods…"

Alisaie put her head in her hands as she lamented, "I'm starting to sound like Alphinaud!" Glancing back at Claire she said without a trace of jesting, "I want you to promise me something. If I ever start talking about politics then I want you to smack me."

Claire only smiled back tiredly, a hand held against her own chest and shoulder as they walked. Neither of them said much as Alisaie continued telling them of what happened when they first learned of their plan. They set up Shinobi all over the area to keep watch and cover their retreat should the Garleans or worse, Zenos, try to follow. Yugiri felt her hatred for that beast rise even higher for such shame on how it went down.

But she bore with it as they made it back to Namai in one piece—more or less.

"How are you feeling? After fighting that demon, I can only imagine…" Isse asked as he ran up to greet them. He was speaking mostly to Claire, who nodded politely, asking that they not go to too much trouble for her. "…I suppose I ought to apologize to you. For…you know…Anyway, uh… Thank you. For not giving up on us. The shinobi too," he added to Yugiri, who nodded back gratefully.

Those words alone were enough to heal her otherwise wounded spirit.

Isse brought them to the middle of the village where they were treated for their injuries as someone else brought food and water for them. As the two of them were being fussed over, Yugiri couldn't help but stare around at the people who—until not even half a day ago—had resigned themselves to life of suffering and hardship. People who had given up their pride and their hopes had suddenly turned around and stood—not only against their Imperial masters—but the viceroy himself. She could scarcely believe it.

"How are you feeling, my lady?" the Namai maiden asked as she finished binding their injuries.

"Much the better for my comrades' ministrations, and your most generous hospitality. You need not worry," Yugiri told her kindly, and at her words, she found that all around them the people looked deeply relieved.

"Good… If there is anything else we can do for the two of you ─ anything at all ─ just ask," the woman said as the group slowly leave, overjoyed that they were going to be alright.

"Thank you," Claire answered back as they watched the crowd dissipated. That was when Yugiri noticed Gosetsu and Alisaie standing off to the side with Isse, who seemed suddenly nervous, before he also went running off. When she looked into her old friend's face, who was normally so easy to read… and she knew not what to make of that stoic expression he was now wearing.

Yet, knowing she would have to face the others sooner or later, she got up with Claire at her side as she come up to them.

Gosetsu didn't say anything as he observed her and she was finally seeing what her reckless actions could have cost them this evening. She knew not how she could hope to make amends for the trouble she had caused this evening, but apologizing for them seemed the best way to start.

"Gosetsu, Mistress Alisaie ─ I owe you an apology," Yugiri apologized sincerely. "I acted with reckless disregard for my own safety, and endangered I know not how many others in so doing." She lowered her head in shame and finished, "Scorning your wise counsel, I knowingly defied our master's wishes, and left you no choice but to follow suit."

But to her surprise, Gosetsu was shaking his head.

"Nonsense. I followed our master's wishes to the letter. Consider once more his words, and the intent therein," he said gruffly, not sounding the least bit upset or even disappointed in her. "In offering his head, he but sought to shield his people from harm ─ loyal retainers included. You must value your life more highly, shadow walker."

Shield his people with his life—loyal retainers included? No, that should have been the other way around. She had been trained for and pledged her life to Lord Hien's sake. How could he even think of sacrificing himself for someone like her?

"On the other hand, your recklessness did serve as an inspiration to many. Mayhap you should not be so hard on yourself…" Alisaie offered before adding shrewdly, "In any event, if you must apologize profusely, it seems only right that you expend as much effort thanking the one person who supported your plan from the first."

Yugiri couldn't believe that she overlooked this so easily!

She looked back to her friend, who had remained silent the whole time, and found herself smiling—trying to convey all the feelings she felt at that moment. "That it does," she agreed quietly, unable to find anything else that she could say but… "There are no words which will suffice…but thank you."

Claire just beamed back and Yugiri wondered just what she had done to deserve such friends and comrades at her side?

"Aaaaaand there they are!" Lyse's voice called and it heartened her to look up and see her and Alphinaud running towards them with their own smiles shone brightly in the early hours of dawn.

"Twelve be praised! When I learned of your rather questionable plot to assassinate Zenos, I feared we would need to recruit a new primal slayer," Alphinaud said as they skidded to a stop in front of them, his eyes focused solely on Claire as he said that.

Claire could only shrug, her eyebrows raised at him while a strange glint appeared in her eyes at the sight of him. After that, Lyse suddenly lowered her head regretfully.

"I'm sorry we couldn't be there. Alisaie made me swear to stay behind no matter what," Lyse apologized before adding, "I think she was worried I'd hurl myself at Zenos the moment I set eyes on him."

At her words, they all looked up to Alisaie, who looked suddenly uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on her.

"…What?" Alisaie asked briskly before clearing her throat. Yugiri only smiled back in understanding. She may have acted reckless here, but she could never have forgiven herself if she allowed others to act on such impulse. It would seem that she had much training to do if she was to become a shinobi worthy of the name.

"You'll forgive me for changing the subject, but now would seem a good time to discuss where we go from here," Alisaie pressed on with a change of subject, "Though the Empire has yet to retaliate, the fact remains that we have revealed our presence, and signaled our intentions in so doing. It is only a matter of time before the imperials move against us. Given that we lack the strength to oppose them, 'tis plain some manner of brilliant stratagem is required."

Her eyes then went to her brother as she added teasingly, "Therefore, I yield the floor to the preeminent tactician of our time, with whom I was privileged to share a womb."

Alphinaud blushed and coughed at her choice of wording before he said, "If you insist… While in Kugane we debated a number of approaches and were eventually forced to concede that we cannot look to the Alliance for aid. Even were it possible to ferry sufficient forces and materiel from Eorzea in a timely manner, such a massive undertaking would not long escape the attention of the Empire. 'Twould be a miracle if our ships reached the shore. Fortunately, according to Tataru and Hancock's intelligence, the Empire has withdrawn most of its forces from Doma in the past year, leaving her relatively unguarded."

This wasn't surprising since the people's spirits had all been so close to shattering beyond repair that the Empire had loosened their grip on the land. And of course, Yugiri understood that it was unlikely that Eorzea would be able to send them ships on such short notice. Now that the Empire was aware that the Scions and the Warrior of Light were here in Doma, they would surely wish to increase security before something else was done. Already, the people were beginning to rise up against the Empire once again, such as with the Confederacy and now with the people of Namai. If they could strike now while the fires of rebellion were beginning to shine in their people's hearts and with security so low…?

"That being the case, a popular uprising spearheaded by the full might of the Doman Liberation Front may feasibly be sufficient to threaten the seat of provincial government, namely Doma Castle," Alphinaud finished explained, "'Twould be rather easier said than done, of course, but I have seen worse plans prevail."

"Then we must needs meet with Lord Hien and convince him to return, for there is no surer way to inspire our people to rise up as one," Gosetsu said eagerly at his words. "He desired proof of his subjects' conviction, and they have provided it ─ through no less a deed than openly opposing Zenos himself!"

Yes. Lord Hien would surely return when he learns of this. Yugiri just knew it. All they had to do now was find him. And since she had done it before, she was sure she could do it again.

"It will work. It has to work. And next time, we will defeat him…" she heard Lyse say next to her, voicing what her heart was now singing.

"I will be traveling to the Azim Steppe, Claire," Yugiri decided at once as she looked to Claire. "I found Lord Hien once before, and I am confident I can do so again. Moreover, it was to me whom he put the question of Doma's resolve. I feel it my duty to deliver to him our people's reply."

"Our countrymen's deeds speak for themselves. Lord Hien cannot deny the truth of their hearts," Gosetsu added to her as well. "Too long has it been since I looked on his face. It would be of great comfort to see him again ─ and no small comfort if you were to join us in the search, I should add!"

"I wonder what kind of man Hien is," Lyse asked thoughtfully, and Yugiri was sure that Lyse would insist on travelling with them—which she was glad for. "From what I heard, he's about the same age as me. Then again, so is Fordola. Like her, he was born and raised in an imperial province. This is all he's ever known. But unlike her, he chose to do something about it… I want to meet him. I want to know why. Maybe, if I understand that, it'll help me to understand a lot of other things…"

"The beloved king returning to urge his countrymen to rise up in rebellion. Not a story you'd ever hear in Sharlayan or Ul'dah, is it?" Alisaie asked her brother.

"Not in those words, perhaps, but no land's people is so cynical to be wholly immune to inspiration," he said. "Singular individuals have the power to move hearts and minds no matter where they go."

Alphinaud's eyes turned back to Claire, who made no notice that she heard his words. But Yugiri couldn't help but feel that she was listening carefully to Alphinaud's words.

"Mmmhm. Doubtless you speak from personal experience," Alisaie teased her brother before turning back to the others and their plans were being made. Alisaie had made some good suggestions, in that she and Alphinaud should remain here for now and start preparations for the assault on Doma Castle. As well as contacting the Confederacy and new friends in Kugane to repair the broken aetheryte crystal. Alphinaud couldn't have looked more forlorn at those words, but he seemed to agree with his sister's decision.

"We shall depart for the Azim Steppe at once," Yugiri then stated as Lyse nodded in agreement.

"Will you be joining us, Claire?" Gosetsu asked her as Claire thought it over.

"I see that they have matters well in hand here," Claire decided thoughtfully. "I think I will."

Ah, already Yugiri could feel her heart at ease for her presence. It was strange… how her presence seemed to bring her such peace of mind. The only other person who had been able to do that was…?

"For our part, we shall do what we can to aid the Doman Liberation Front in your absence," Alisaie said, interrupting Yugiri's thoughts. "We will refrain from conducting any large-scale operations in your absence, and instead devote our energies to bolstering our ranks and training our new recruits. When you return, we will be ready for war."

Good. Yugiri could hardly believe that this was all happening so quickly. A part of her wished to return to the House of the Fierce and begin drilling her fellow shinobi, but she could wait until they returned with Lord Hien before that.

In no time at all their plans were made. At first, the others seemed worried for her and Claire's health after that battle, and were concerned that a long trip may be out of the question. But Yugiri wouldn't hear of it. She felt that a massive weight was lifted off her and she was prepared to walk to the ends of the earth if that was what it took. She could no longer even feel the pain in her body as she assured the others that she was up for another journey.

"If anything happens, if you need us to come back sooner, you'd better contact us. 'Noble sacrifices' are a last resort, remember?" Lyse finished telling off the twins as if she expected them to act irresponsibly while they were away.

The twins nodded in understanding so all that was left to do was head out.

*Doma Castle*

Zenos stood with his back to them all, staring out at the town below him. No, not the town… he was looking at the gates and what lay beyond and thinking…

He was just about to leave when one of his soldiers had come to him with important news. After weeks of searching they had finally discovered the very prize that he had been dreaming of since the Wall had been taken. This was a most pleasant surprise… and it was even gift-wrapped for him as well when the soldier explained the kind of 'containment' that it was in. His men back in Ala Mhigo had finished moving it and it was waiting for him back in the menagerie, waiting for him to see it close up for the first time.

"…I would expect no less of Bahamut's conqueror," he said as he listened to the report. "Prepare the airship. His Radiance will not object; we have fulfilled our obligations here. I would see this prize for myself…"

It was true. After he allowed those weaklings to leave him he finished inspecting the Moon Gates and had returned to Doma Castle in a reasonable time. There was no need for him to stick around here any longer. And why would he when something so interesting to play with was back in Eorzea?

He heard the soldier salute before leaving the room, preparing his ship to leave as soon as possible. But there were some things that needed to be done before he left. When he heard Yotsuyu's deep breaths behind him… almost able to feel her shake as she knelt before him.

He ignored her completely as his thoughts strayed the second item of interest who had been occupying his thoughts as of late. At first glance the warrior had seemed no different than any of these other savages… small and weak-looking… but twice now she had caught his attention.

He paused in that moment before he was about to kill her even though he couldn't say why. But when he looked at the woman on the ground, how she slowly raised her head and he saw the hatred shining in those green eyes of hers…?

This was the second time that they had met, and already she was even stronger than she had been in their first meeting… the proof was shone when she had managed to break off a piece of his armor. That was when he realized that she was different… she had potential… like how a beast will throw it's offspring out to fend for itself, it had grown stronger and came coming back at him with claws drawn… fangs bared… rage in its eyes…

Those eyes. So clear and pure as they glared back at him. There were so signs of pain nor of fear; only a determination and hatred of him that he saw and it was… exquisite. Make no mistake, he still saw her as little more than a savage creature… but there was nothing more dangerous than a wild animal when cornered…

So rebellious… so…

Beautiful...

How right he was to spare her life.

For if this was how strong she was after so short a time from their first meeting… just how strong could she become? Mayhap he was holding out too much hope, but surely there would be one person in this world who would be able to stand on equal ground with him?

Such a magnificent, fascinating creature she was… this champion of the savages… this… Warrior of Light? There was nothing else to do but wait for her to come to his parlor… there was only one question that played in his mind. This woman, this queen among beasts… he wondered what color her blood was?

All he had to do was sit back and wait until she came for him again. However, if she was to be worthy of fighting him, he would make sure that she earned it… she must fight her way through Ala Mhigo to get to him. He was not without reason though… he will give her time. The rest would be up to her to follow through with it. In the meantime, he ordered his men to strengthen their forces in Ala Mhigo.

When his mind returned to the matter at hand he turned to face the room. There were only two left there… Yotsuyu and the disgraced soldier, both of whom were still on their knees. The soldier had risked looking at him, but as soon as his eyes met Zenos's, he quickly looked down to the floor.

Zenos just strolled on by, yet as he passed he made sure to grabs Yotsuyu by the hair and wrenched her head up so hard that she was almost pulled into a standing position. Yotsuyu gasped in pain as his hissed into her ear, "Do you understand why I appointed you to act in my stead? You, whose only accomplishment was to whisper the right words in the right ear?"

He pulled harder on her hair, causing her to silently whimper as he finished, "Because of your petty hatreds. They render you the perfect instrument to bleed your kinsmen of hope ─ to make an example of Doma, such as was ordered."

He no longer cared if Doma fell to the rabble, yet he knew his father would gripe about it should it be taken from them. He knew that the rebels here would surely try to reclaim it when he left, but that was no longer his concern. He would simply blame Yotsuyu and her incompetence should they lose Doma. And besides, Yotsuyu had grown too arrogant lately. A little fear was good for her.

"Listen well," he warned as he jerked her hair again, looking down at her with cold eyes. "If you yield Doma to the rebels, you will not be given another chance to beg forgiveness."

He dropped her as she held back a whimper.

"Do your duty. Now," he commanded as he headed to the door without looking back once. "Or die with the rest of them."

He left them, his mind still focused on the two figures who have taken up his mind. As he left Doma Castle and boarded the airship, he still thought more about what was coming for him and he couldn't hide the grin that was there. Apparently, it was causing his soldiers no small amount of unease, for a smile from the crown prince was cause of concern for them all.

"This Warrior of Light," he said suddenly to one of the lowly soldiers, who jumped at his voice. "What is her name?"

Zenos's hand was glazing over the hilt of this latest sword at his side as the soldier looked through a quick report that spoke about previous encounters with the Warrior of Light. "Here it is, Sir," the soldier said quickly, running back up to him like a puppy who was expecting to rewarded for doing a good job. "From what we know of her, she doesn't seem to have any family—not that we know of yet. But she has been causing no small amount of trouble for us for some time. In fact, it seems that we can assume that she doesn't originally hale from Eorzea at all but that she comes from…?"

"Her name, you idiot," Zenos growled back, enjoying seeing the man flinch at his words. "I am only interested in her name. And tell me, unless you wish to dye this blade an even darker shade of crimson…?"

He fingered his sword as the soldier gulped and stuttered out, "H-Her name i-i-is Claire Faye!"

"Claire Faye," Zenos repeated with a grunt. "Hmph. Such a gentle name for a beast. But I shall remember it."

He looked back to the front of the ship where the screen was showing him the wide, blue ocean stretched out in front of him. "Come for me, Claire."