Chapter Eleven

The Tomb

The Tomb of Raithwall

The moment Vaan entered the tomb he felt the suffocating embrace of the Mist that had gathered within the ancient structure. The Mist lingered on his skin, whispering across his flesh and leaving a musty aftertaste in his mouth. The blond entered in the Chamber of the Destroyer and directly ahead of him was a long stone bridge connecting to a large door at the other end of the chamber. With no other option to take he started making his way down to the bridge.

For a moment Vaan wondered if he made a mistake in leaving the others behind out in the valley to fight that giant bird. He didn't doubt their fighting skills but he did feel uneasy about just leaving them behind like that. He pushed those thoughts aside as he reached the bridge. The moment he stepped onto the stone walkway he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end. There was something wrong here...there was something staring at him, he could feel it. Vaan slowly walked down the bridge until he was halfway across and then the thing he felt...its presence become even more pronounced. Turning around Vaan stared at the large creature that was coming in his direction.

The creature was a wall. A dozen thick stone talons jabbed into the floor and pulled the wall along at a decent pace. A demonic visage was trying to pull itself free from the wall and in both hands there was a sword. The demon screamed in outrage at being disturbed and the talons kept on tearing into the floor, bringing up chunks of rock as it travelled along. Vaan stood his ground solemnly, his fists clenched on either side while he allowed the strength to build within his body.

The wall came along the bridge and when it was close enough Vaan charged towards the creature, his fist raised and ready to strike. Vaan stopped abruptly in front of the Demon Wall and slammed his fist forcefully into the visage. His hand broke through the body and past the thick stone. A large crack slithered up in the middle of the wall as debris rained down onto the floor. The demon dropped both its swords and stopped moving entirely when Vaan sliced his way through the wall.

Vaan turned around towards the door when the Demon Wall collapsed into pieces of rubble on the floor. Scowling at the remains of the beast Vaan approached the door and pushed it open to reveal another stone bridge. After traversing across the walkway Vaan came to another ancient door and pushed it open. He stepped into a chamber and he stopped to simply admire the view of the tomb. It looked more like a city than a tomb. Directly in front of him was a staircase that would take him down to a square shaped platform with three diamond shaped terminals for transportation.

One was already glowing with a gentle blue light but the other two looked powerless. Stepping onto the platform he looked to either side to see two staircases. Vaan frowned when he took in the sight. He would have to check out both areas to find a way into Raithwall's chamber. There was something else down here, he could feel raw power coming from a chamber beyond this one. Taking the staircase to the right Vaan traversed down the ancient steps and onto the next level of the tomb's inner chamber.

He noticed that several large bats had taken up residence within the tomb but he didn't pay them any attention. After walking along he came to another door and he pushed it open without a second thought. Once inside he immediately noticed that he was in a narrow passageway and the smell of rotting flesh was prominent here.

He heard a scuffing noise from nearby as well as a painful moaning sound. Ashe did say that this place would be guarded and booby trapped. Balling his fists Vaan stepped around the corner and saw three shambling corpses standing in a smaller chamber. It seemed that zombies guarded these ruins; they were horrid creatures that the Mist refused to grant death to.

As soon as Vaan stepped into the chamber the three monsters started shambling towards him with their arms outstretched. The blond boy didn't waste any time taking those maggot infested bodies down. With a single blow to the head they dropped forever. The flesh was so putrid their heads exploded the second he hit them.

After clearing out the chamber Vaan moved on through the winding hallways and out into a small room with a large furnace. He saw two large stone faces with fire atop their heads as well as several zombies.

Vaan moved quickly through the chamber and out into the adjoining hallway. He had no time to spend on fighting these creatures. The others would catch up to him sooner or later and he had to find the Dawn Shard before that happened.

When he found a flight of steps he quickly followed them down into another chamber which had a teleport crystal and a strange glowing red jewel situated in the far wall. When his fingers brushed against the jewel he heard something click and then the wall to his side started to slide down into the floor. When the wall was halfway down it stopped clearly indicating that there had to be another jewel to be pressed. Maybe that was where the other staircase out in the main chamber led to. Vaan really had no time for these delaying puzzles.

Approaching the wall he jumped up onto the altar and climbed through the gap left behind. He landed gently onto the hidden chamber beyond the altar and made his way down the hallway. In this area there were ghosts as well as zombie guards blocking his path to the Shard. Vaan dashed through the shambling mindless beasts and reached the door. Once he pushed it open he stepped out into a smaller chamber than the main one but there was one other noticeable difference here.

The Mist was so thick that it was visible to the naked eye. Vaan could almost choke on the Mist surrounding him, his body felt energized and that taste in his mouth was more defined now. This had to be where the Dawn Shard was kept; the sheer raw power in this place was truly staggering. The chamber was square in shape with stone steps leading down into the bottom of the chamber. The Mist swirled and danced before his eyes to create shapes and shadows across the ancient room. Vaan made his way down into the bottom section of the room and stopped at the bottom of the steps.

At the lowest level of the chamber Vaan spotted a large red skinned creature standing vigilantly against a door. Vaan scowled at the beast but a part of him was intrigued. He had never seen anything like this before and the power signature coming from the beast was so very ancient. The moment Vaan stepped towards the door the red skinned creature rose sharply from the floor. It grabbed a sword that had been stabbed into the ground.

From what Vaan could see of the beast it had a human body fused into a larger demonic one. A thick red tail flashed from behind the beast as it took a step forward towards the blond intruder. Vaan scowled darkly at the monster then he took up a battle stance. He was so close to his goal now he could almost taste the Shard waiting for him.

When the demon lashed forward with its blade swinging back into a deadly arc Vaan dodged to the right and caught the sword just before it landed on his head. With the thick blade wedge between his hands he drove it back so that the hilt slammed into the creature's chest. It growled angrily then cast a Protect spell on itself. Vaan smirked, as if that would save it from oblivion's embrace. The beast then cast a Firaga spell that hit Vaan's in the stomach but the high level spell didn't even slow him down.

He charged forward and leapt so that his legs were on the same level as the human visage. He lunged forward and kicked the creature in the chest sending it flying backwards and slamming into the wall. Vaan dodged an incoming blow from the sword then shot his fist into the red skinned monster's exposed back. It howled in agony and reared its head back giving Vaan a perfect opportunity. Leaping up he grabbed the thick demon neck and with all his strength he snapped it in half.

"An Esper?" Vaan whispered when the creature collapsed and its body dissolved to reveal a glowing glyph stone. "Raithwall had an Esper…" Vaan murmured in deep thought.

Reaching down he picked up the glyph incased in a crystal and shattered the item in his hands. When the glyph was free it hovered for a few moments before vanishing into a ball of light which Vaan picked up in his right hand. Having an Esper would be more than useful when he found the location to the next Shard.

Once again silence reigned over the ancient tomb and the Mist continued to dance and weave along the rocks and pillars. For a Shard to have its power it must have an incredible amount of Mist to feed from. Now with the way clear Vaan had no doubt that Balthier and the others would find him soon. It didn't matter to him though, they were already too late. With the Esper ion his possession Vaan approached the door and pushed it open.

He entered a narrow passageway leading deeper into the tomb and at the bottom of the steps was another teleport device. Walking on past it he climbed up the next flight of stairs and came into a single chamber with one item at the far wall. The Dawn Shard was floating on a pedestal, the white stone looked so very beautiful and flawless.

Vaan felt a smile on satisfaction touch his lips as he ascended towards his prize. Reaching out his fingers closed around the Dawn Shard and he lifted it from its resting place. It felt heavy in his hands just like the Dusk Shard but the feeling of power and familiarity was all too comforting to him. To better understand what kind of power lay within this object he inserted it into his chest. The moment the stone was dissolved into his body his skull started to throb painfully and images moved before his eyes. Vaan could do nothing but watch.

When his new body hit the hard floor of the chamber he was elated to feel pain and coldness from the winter air around the tower. His body was covered in liquid so that it made the transition easier for him. Glancing up his new eyes took in everything around him. He saw the chamber in all its detail right down to the cracked stones around the doorway. Gentle hands grasped his shivering arms and he was pulled to his feet.

He stood shakily for the first time but the feeling was indescribable, to actually be alive and breathing for the first time in his existence. His blue eyes landed on a red headed winged man bearing the necklace of the High Priest. This winged creature was his most loyal follower and protector. He had made his body for the transition to be successful. His name was Llyud and he was smiling at his charge.

"Llyud…" the new born whispered thickly.

"You know my name." Llyud looked blissfully happy about this. "I feared that the experiment would not work."

"What of my original form?" the man turned around to stare at the thing that had housed him for centuries.

"It is undamaged sire." Llyud replied.

"And the Occuria?" blue eyes narrowed when he spoke the name of his enemy.

"They have taken up their mantle at Giruvegan." Llyud answered sagely. "They refuse to cut the strings on their puppets."

"The Occuria…they have no right being here, in this world." Blue eyes shone with rage. "They left me to rot in the Nothing when I refused to serve them blindly."

"Please sire, your body is new. You need to conserve your strength." Llyud suggested.

"Yes, you're right…" the man nodded. "I shall need time to get used to this state on existence. I need to stop the Occuria."

"Sire, there is one person on the main continent that may help you." Llyud said. "He is a hume warrior."

"A hume?" blue eyes widened in surprise. "But do you not wish to wish the stones?"

"This hume is trying to unite all kingdoms under peace. We had to take the stones back from the Garif when they could not understand its magicks."

"I see…" the man murmured. "But will this hume be strong enough?"

"He has defeated and bound an Esper to his will." Llyud replied.

"An Esper?" now that was an incredible task. "Maybe he has some potential. What is his name?"

"They call him Raithwall. I know you need time sire but the Occuria want to use the stones to release the Holy Light." Llyud said hastily.

"And they call themselves gods the idiots." The man said harshly. "I want to meet with them at their city."

"Yes, but sire what name shall we call you?" Llyud asked. The man looked distant as he thought about it.

"Hmmm, when the Occuria gave me life I was their greatest achievement. They called me the Messiah Gene."

Vaan stumbled back across the chamber when the vision ended leaving him feeling cold and more than a little worried by what he had seen. He had met that red headed man before back in Rabanastre but he did not have wings then. There was something eerily familiar about the Occuria and just thinking about the name filled him with white hot rage for which he could find no explanation.

The Dawn Shard had been extracted from his chest and he was once again holding onto it. He frowned when he recalled the vision…what was that chamber and those winged people? And what was the Messiah Gene? Glancing down at the stone in his hands he gently caressed the surface and waited for it to show him the location to the next Shard. These stones were the keys he needed to unlocking his past, of that he was sure now.

"Vaan!" Balthier's voice rang out from the other side of the passageway.

"Balthier…" the blond murmured in surprise. He must have been out of it for a while for them to reach him like that.

"He has the stone." Fran's eyes narrowed at the Dawn Shard.

"Hand it over to me now." Ashe stepped forward fully prepared to fight for the stone.

"It's not yours to have." Vaan muttered darkly.

"How dare you assume that." She hissed in outrage.

"We're not here to fight you Vaan." Basch held up his hands. "But Lady Ashe needs the stone to prove her bloodline."

"I know that." Vaan murmured quietly. He was still deeply troubled by what he had seen.

"Then give her the Dawn Shard." Vossler held his sword ready for an attack.

"Having this won't give you back Dalmasca." Vaan muttered. "Why are you fighting a losing battle?"

"I have to free my home from the Empire. This is all I have left." Ashe yelled.

"But from what I heard the Empire came and they took your land, that's what conquering nations do, that's the way it goes." Vaan answered. "You're not even trying to make peace between Dalmasca and the Empire."

"Why should I make peace with them?" Ashe whispered on fury.

"I thought you humes would have learned something by now…but nothing ever changes." Vaan looked sad.

"Vaan…" Balthier stepped towards the solemn looking blond. "What happened here?"

"I saw something…a memory or a dream I don't really know." Vaan answered quietly. "I need to know where the third Shard is being kept."

"Only after I use it to prove my birthright." Ashe stepped in. "The Dawn Shard is my heritage."

"Vaan, you can find the third one later." Basch suggested gently. "This is Lady Ashe's only chance."

"Fine…" Vaan muttered and he extended his arm. "Use it of you will."

"…" Balthier frowned at the exchange. Vaan had just handed over the stone without a protest. Something was wrong here.

"Let's leave here now." Vossler spoke up.

"Agreed, we shall head to Rabanastre." Ashe replied once she had the stone.

"Don't run off like that again." Balthier said with exasperation.

"Sorry…" Vaan didn't sound regretful in the least.

"What do you plan to do with the stone?" Fran questioned the princess.

"I need power to fight against the Empire and the Dawn Shard will give me that." Ashe replied without hesitation.

"It may be your heritage but do you truly understand the magicks of the stone?" the viera asked with a raised eyebrow.

"For the moment we need to get back to the city." Ashe looked away from Fran. "Vossler, once there can you contact Ondore and let him know that I do not intend to return to his side."

"Of course your Majesty." Vossler nodded. The group stood around the teleport stone. "Lady Ashe, are you alright?"

Ashe didn't hear him. Instead her eyes had been drawn to the figure of her dead husband standing so close to her she could reach out and touch him. The stone in her hand was glowing brightly and felt so very warm in her grasp. Ashe felt her throat constrict and she raised one hand to try and reach out to Rasler. The moment her fingers brushed against his arm he vanished from her sight.

"What are you doing?" Balthier frowned.

"I...I saw Rasler." She murmured in shock.

"There was nothing there." Fran stated.

"But...I could have sworn..." Ashe trailed off, unsure of what to say. Was this the work of the Dawn Shard?

"We had best leave this place." Basch spoke up. His eyes fell on a silent Vaan.

"Let's go." Ashe nodded then left the passageway via the teleport stone.

When the group emerged back into the Chamber of the Destroyer the princess took the group back towards the main teleport stone. Once back in Rabanastre she would begin planning a way to confront Vayne on a way to get the Empire to leave Dalmasca. If she had to declare war on them then she would do so if it meant destroying them forever.

After touching the stone the group were back out at the entrance to the tomb. Vaan ran on ahead across the valley floor when a large shadow passed over his location. Glancing up he stared in dawning shock when he saw the Imperial Fleet amassing above the valley. Balthier had said that no ships could fly across the Jagh.

"Impossible! How can they fly through this region?" Vossler stared in shock at the fleet.

"Get to the orange crystal now!" Ashe yelled but when she tried to touch it her hand was rejected.

"There is a strong Mist here. It is preventing transport." Fran muttered.

"Back to the stockade for us." Balthier groaned irritably. He was getting a little tired of being in shackles. "Vaan, just stay calm for the time being."

"As you wish." The blond replied shortly.

Several small skiffs flew down into the valley and surrounded the stunned group. The skiffs formed a circle around the travelers and already several Imperials were getting out of the ships to apprehend them. Ashe held the Dawn Shard to her chest, her eyes burning with hatred for her enemies as they took the six of them onto the nearest vessel.

How could they have gotten through the Jagh? There was no skystone in existence that could take a ship through this region. The Empire had access to powers and technology that had given them a huge advantage. Ashe felt despair creep into her heart. There was no way she could fight a war against them if their airships could travel through the Jagh Region.

"Judge Ghis wants a word with you Lady Ashe." One of the Imperial Elites approached her.

"You have me but let the others go." Ashe demanded.

"You have no word here your Highness." The Imperial spat out the word as if it were poison in his mouth. "Come with me now."

"We do not have much of a choice." Vossler murmured to the princess.

She didn't answer but she did tighten her grip on the ancient stone. With no other option she followed the Imperials into the skiff along with her companions. She could only wonder just how they were going to get out of this problem.

Hi again loyal viewers. Coming up next Basch's power awakens and Vaan taps into the Dawn Shard's power source. Oh and I want you opinions on something.

Now I liked Vossler's character and I can understand why he did what he did. So I was thinking of maybe changing his storyline. Should I keep him alive to atone for his treachery or let him go down with the fleet?

The choice is yours wonderful readers. Till next time!