CHAPTER 10:

VIOLENCE

The Speculum weighed heavily in Harry's pocket as they headed towards the entrance of the Stillshrine of Miriam. He had found it easily enough, too easily, but once he had gotten it, he realised a few things. Things that prevented him from using it.

The first thing, and perhaps more importantly from a pragmatic view, was that this was an artifact the Occuria had created. Like the Nethicite, it might allow the Occuria to see what they were doing when active, and the Occuria could also try to deceive them with it. The second thing was that Harry wasn't sure whether he wanted to look back on his old world. Not because he didn't want to see his friends again. Rather, it was more to do with how many of them had died. Whether there were any left to talk to. Whether any of them would be happy to see that he was alive and well.

Harry hadn't exactly been relaxing in his new life in Ivalice, but he didn't know whether any of his friends would see it the same way. Some wouldn't, but others…well…

He thought back to what had happened when they obtained the Sword of Kings (having fought a number of enemies, including another Esper, Mateus). Ashe had seen Rasler again, though neither Vaan or Harry saw their respective spectres. Ashe very nearly tested the Sword of Kings on the Dawn Shard, only to falter. Rasler's supposed shade had disapproved of the action, and in retrospect, cleaving Nethicite that still had a lot of magic inside it was a potentially bad idea. Being at ground zero to something like Nabudis wasn't at all appealing.

"Do not dive so deep into your worries that you drown in them," Fran said, the elegant Viera noticing his disquiet.

"Sorry, can't help it," Harry said.

Fran smiled gently. "Balthier has the same problem, though you would not know it. What you see most often is a mask, as you have doubtless seen, but you and he share the same ailment. Many of us here do. Ashe worries about her path, Basch and Vossler worry about their charge. I believe my sister is contracting the same illness. She worries about whether leaving Eruyt was the right thing to do."

"Sorry. I encouraged her to leave," Harry said quietly.

"Do not apologise. I understand why you encouraged her, and a selfish part of me is glad that you did so. But Mjrn is still young by our people's standards. Admittedly, I was even younger when I exiled myself. But it was her choice in the end to make. That was what you showed me." She looked over at Mjrn, who was holding forth with Ashe and Vossler about some issue or other. "One thing that Jote never truly learned, I believe, is that sometimes, listening to voices other than that of the Wood or Viera grants perspective. Or perhaps my sister knows, but is bound by her duty to our people. I believe it to be the latter, that she is caught betwixt her duty and her heart. Much like Ashe."

"Yeah, well, Ashe has been training to be a princess for all her life, until the Archadians came along," Harry said. "Ashe and Rasler taught me many things about royalty and nobility, stuff I hadn't really thought about. Back on my world, I had a similar sort of expectation. But here, I'm free to be me."

"But the chains of the past weigh heavily on you, Harry. You are caught between a past you cannot forget, and a now you want to keep. You're not sure if there is anyone else left alive to speak to from your homeworld. That is why you seem hesitant about using the Speculum." Fran gently put a hand on his shoulder. "Do not be afraid to use it, but do not rush into using it. Haste and hesitation can be equally bad."

He nodded. But as they emerged from the Stillshrine, they saw airships flying overhead. Archadian airships…and heading in the direction of Bur-Omisace. And in the distance, they could see smoke rising.

"It seems that the Empire has become so bold as to attack Bur-Omisace with impunity," Vossler snarled. "Vayne has betrayed us."

"Or one of the factions," Balthier said. "They may have shown their public support for Vayne, but some elements, like the other Judges, may yet be champing at the bit, ready to destroy what they see as resistance."

"It matters not," Ashe said quietly, her voice holding an undertone of anger. "Whoever has perpetrated this outrage…they will pay in coin of blood…"

Bur-Omisace was in ruins. Refugees had been slaughtered indiscriminately, as had the priests. There were many survivors, and from them, they learned that while Larsa had gone willingly, two Judges, Ghis and Bergan, had remained, and perpetrated this massacre.

They found their way back to the chamber of the Gran Kilitias. To their horror, the ancient priest was dead. And standing over him were a pair of armoured figures, Judges, with some other soldiers nearby. Harry recognised one of the Judges as being Ghis. The other was larger and more burly, presumably Bergan.

They noticed their arrival. Bergan growled, "Ah, so the vagrant princess returns. Swift has your lust for vengeance led you to the Sword of Kings."

"And how swiftly you turn to the path of atrocity," Ashe said coldly.

"Not mere atrocity, my dear princess," Ghis said. "Then again, without the Deifacted Nethicite, you bear no proof of your former station. It's a shame that Larsa had the wit to leave with the others, as it would be one less Solidor in the world. After all, it's not always blood that makes an emperor."

"Your ambitions far exceed your station," Basch observed. "Is your comrade complicit?"

"I will do anything to ensure that the reins of history are put back in the hands of Man…of Archadia," Bergan said. "And Vayne is being deceived by an Occurian himself. Too late, and to their sorrow, do those who misplace their trust in gods learn their fate. You, and Vayne, your fates will be shared. A palimpsest of history we will make Ivalice, starting here, wiping the slate clean to write our true history!"

Mist began to surround Bergan, swirling inwards, and giving him an intimidating aura. Mjrn's eyes widened. "It is like what happened to me!" she hissed.

"Indeed! Manufactured Nethicite is the power of Man! Forged by his wisdom, wielded by those who would challenge the gods themselves!" Bergan roared.

Ghis sighed. "Less of the theatrics, Bergan. You exude more ham than an Archades butcher. Only someone as…" Ghis seemed to search for the right word. "Only someone as audacious as you would set Nethicite about your very bones."

"You mean insane," Balthier said. "Given who probably created the technique…I shouldn't be surprised."

"Yes. Your father is as brilliant as he is deranged." On Balthier's startled look, Ghis sneered from behind his helmet. "Oh yes, I had a notion of who you really were for some time, traitor. A Judge who threw it all away for the frivolous life of a sky-pirate with a Viera whore." His attention turned to Harry. "And you…the Ghost of Dalmasca. Oh yes, I overheard your little conversation with Vayne back in Dalmasca after he dismissed me like a whipped cur. For all the legend around you, you're a mere mortal who will bleed and die like all mortals do."

"Enough prattle!" Bergan said, extending a gauntleted hand. "Hand over the Deifacted Nethicite and the Sword of Kings, and your ends shall be merciful."

"You waste your breath on the princess, Bergan," Ghis said. "Ever quick to spurn an honourable surrender, like her sire."

Ashe's eyes narrowed. "You know nothing of my father," she hissed angrily, readying her sword.

The battle was long and hard fought, as had been so many others before. Basch had been given command of Mateus, and Basch and Ashe (who commanded Belias) used the Espers against the two Judges and their reinforcements. Mjrn and Fran used their bows and Balthier his rifle to attack them from afar, while Vaan, Basch, and Vossler attacked using close-ranged weaponry. Harry used his magic.

Ghis soon fell, but Bergan fought on in a berserk battlelust, and soon, he managed to swat Ashe away. "Pitiful," Bergan sneered. His attention turned to Harry, who had fired another spell at him. "Watch on, princess, while I slay the Ghost of Dalmasca. I can make it so Life magic and Phoenix Downs have no effect with my abilities."

Bergan lunged at ridiculous speed, and Harry had no time to get out of the way of Bergan stabbing with one of his swords. But Vossler interposed himself between Harry and Bergan, the sword going through his body like a hot knife through butter. "Bah! You're dying in the wrong order! But then again, so much for the vaunted skills of Captain Azelas! You merely postponed his demise!"

"Indeed. But by a few decades, I hope," Vossler said, coughing out blood as he smiled grimly through the pain.

Before Bergan could realise what Vossler meant by that, Basch jammed his sword in between the plates of Bergan's armour. "For Dalmasca, for Bur-Omisace, and for all the people of Ivalice," he snarled.

Bergan convulsed, and swung around, flinging Basch back. However, he seemed to be suffering from some sort of fit. He was glowing from within, convulsing, spasming, before a blast of energy radiated out from his body, and he collapsed to the ground with a rasping gurgle.

"Vossler!" Ashe hissed in dismay, crawling over to her comrade, as did Basch and Harry.

Vossler looked up at his princess. Pain wracked his features, but he gave a smile. Harry cast some healing magic in a panic, only to realise it wasn't working. "Must be some ability he used with the Manufactured Nethicite," Basch remarked grimly. "Vossler, stay with us."

"I can't. Forgive me, princess. I can't stay with you."

"Stay awake, Vossler," Harry said. "You're tougher than this. I can't let you die."

Vossler chuckled bitterly. "Even though I have called your loyalty into question, you strive to save me?"

"Of course I bloody do. You're an arse, but you're just doing your job. I'm not seeing anyone else die, Vossler."

"…Forgive me, but you will be. Basch, Harry, I charge you with her safety. And Harry…I know how you feel about her. You give her much-needed happiness. Continue to do so, I beg of you." His eyes went over to Ashe. "Goodbye, Ashe…" he rasped, before passing on.

Harry scowled. It had been like Cedric Diggory all over again. Now the Gran Kilitias, not to mention a lot of his followers, and Vossler, was dead. So many decent people, trampled over by the ambitions of Ghis and Bergan. And how many of those were mirrored by the deaths back home?

As Ashe wept quietly, and Basch stared at his comrade's corpse, Balthier went over to Bergan's own cadaver, and examined it. Harry was pleased to note that the bloody ruin of Bergan's face, exposed when Balthier removed the helmet, was set in an expression of agony. Fran looked on grimly, and Mjrn, after a moment, turned away and vomited. "As Ghis said, he set his very bones with Nethicite," Balthier said. "Either his injury caused some sort of catastrophic failure, or he was about to overload anyway. Either way, a nasty way to go."

"He deserved it," Harry said contemptuously. He knelt down next to Ashe. "Ashe? Are you okay?"

She nodded, wiping the tears away. "I will be. Such wanton violence for the sake of their ambition."

"What about Larsa?" Penelo asked.

A pained voice answered them. "Spirited away, by Judges Gabranth and Drace." They found Al-Cid Margrace limping in, helped by his assistant.

"Are you okay?" Vaan asked.

"I've been better. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the Gran Kilitias," Al-Cid said. "It was once said he could silence belligerents with a withering look. But there are those who do not fear the gods or blasphemy. Our young lordling left with Gabranth and Drace to try and prevent trouble. But Bergan flew into a rage, and Ghis seemed to want to indulge him. We were left to fend for ourselves, and you see the results before you. Please, princess, I beg you, allow me to take you back to Rozarria?"

"For protection?" Ashe asked with a scowl.

"I would gladly lay down my life at a single word to be sure, like your most loyal Azelas, but I harbour no delusions of valiant grandeur. Rather, it is Vayne and the Archadian belligerence that has our War Pavilion jumping at shadows. That they would go so far as to scour Mount Bur-Omisace as they have will only justify the war-mongers of Rozarria, and they will demand a pre-emptive strike. By coming to see them, though, you may yet persuade them to stay their hand."

"I understand, but I beg your pardon and indulgence in any case. We have business elsewhere, business that this tangled affair hinges on," Ashe said. "We leave for Giruvegan ere long. As for matters in Rozarria, I wish the best of luck to you."

"Ah, so you would leave each to fend for themselves?" Al-Cid asked, though his wry tone was empty of condemnation. "Let us hope that you are not disappointed. Oh, and Larsa left a message. The differences between our lands will fade before our shared dream." He put on his sunglasses as he got to his feet a little shakily. "My leave, I take."

As he left, Ashe closed her eyes, tears still trickling from them. "We will stay here for a period before we make our way to Giruvegan."

"It lies not far from here," Fran said. "The ancient metropolis lies further south of Golmore Jungle, beyond the Feywood. Few Viera dare to venture into the Feywood, given the heavy Mist and powerful monsters. We should prepare well before we venture there ourselves."

The princess nodded, before she said, her voice heavier still with emotion, "Basch, Harry, I require your aid. Please assist me in bringing Vossler out of here to whatever funeral pyre they may have. And if the acolytes allow it, we will give His Grace the same courtesy."

That night, massive funeral pyres lit up Mount Bur-Omisace. More smoke filled the sky, a sort of perverse salute to the lives that had passed.

The group of adventurers watched the pyre of one of their own solemnly. While Vossler was not the most likeable of men, being suspicious of every shadow, his loyalty to Ashe and Dalmasca was in no doubt. Harry couldn't exactly call him a friend, but he was a good comrade, in spite of his suspicious nature. He and Basch stood close to Ashe as they watched Vossler's pyre, distantly hearing Fran and Mjrn reciting a Viera prayer for the dead.

Harry didn't feel sadness or sorrow at Vossler's passing, or at least not yet. Rather, he felt reproach at Vossler for sacrificing his life stupidly to save Harry's, and more self-reproach for being weak enough to nearly be killed by Bergan, monstrous though he was. He felt anger and hatred at the two Judges for perpetrating a massacre of a peaceful religious settlement. All so they could make Ivalice a tabula rasa, a blank slate for them to write their own perverse history on.

Would Vayne have done the same? Would Venat? Harry didn't know, and it was useless to speculate. All they could do was do what they could, limited though that was.

When he felt Ashe's arm snake around his waist and pull him slightly closer, he was surprised. But he didn't shy away. Instead, he took comfort from it, as he was sure she was taking comfort from him. It was all he could do at the moment. He just hoped that Vossler didn't die in vain…

CHAPTER 10 ANNOTATIONS:

Hoo boy, it's been a long time since I've updated this, hasn't it? It was partly a lack of interest and partly because I had been fixated on writing Harry talking to his friends from Earth via the Speculum, but I couldn't figure out what to say and how to say it. We may have that in the next chapter, but no promises. I want to focus more on Harry/Ashe in the next chapter, if and when it comes out. Plus, Nitimur in Vetitum is, frankly, more fun to write…when I am motivated to write for it.

I intended to kill off Vossler for some time at Bur-Omisace, to give him a better, more valiant ending than he did in the game. I also originally intended for Ashe to use the Nethicite against an Archadian fleet at Bur-Omisace, but I decided to plump for a combination of the battles against Bergan and Ghis. Fans of the game will note that I integrated some of Ghis' dialogue from earlier in the game in this chapter.

I also fudged a concept where Bergan's abilities allowed him to kill someone without a Life spell or a Phoenix Down being effective (despite that not being the case in the game). This was something I had used previously for Harry Potter and the Cetra Heritage, with Sephiroth lining his sword with a substance that prevented that very thing. Here, though, it's an ability granted by the Manufactured Nethicite Bergan used. Unlike here, Venat doesn't influence Bergan into attacking Bur-Omisace: Bergan and Ghis doing so in order to basically wipe the slate clean for Archadian rule, and on their terms rather than Vayne's. If Bergan is possessed by Venat to a degree in the game, then it's possible he's aware of Venat.

No numbered annotations this time.