Hey everyone!
I'd just like to thank those who left a review on my last chapter. I know this story isn't getting updated as fast as everyone – yes, including me – would like. But, I am trying. Hah, you have no idea how much writer's block I had to battle to finally get this done. My first tricky chapter. But, expect more consistent updates in the future.
I think you guys will like where I'm going with my fic (if not, hey, let me know!) and I'm going to be keeping my direction a lovely little secret. Makes it all the better once events roll around, and who doesn't like a surprise?
Caution: Might be a bit of rude language near the end of the chapter. Might meaning "there will be".
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Square-Enix or FFXII. As usual, the only thing I own happens to be my original concepts.
The Princess's eyes widened. Alarm. Shock. Her lip upturned. She intensely scanned me, head to toe, lingering on my clothes and face. Ashe stared me down. And I couldn't look away from her challenging gaze for the life of me. Speaking of which, her sword was still drawn, and I knew she was contemplating slicing me open.
Was I a spy? A foreigner? I sure didn't look like the sun-kissed, sultry blondes of the dessert. I sounded like a local, but I was pale and remarkably brunette with eastern European features. I was out of place. Not to mention my timing was impeccably horrible, what with shady newcomers invading Lowtown and all.
Her face contorted, attempting to mimic confidence. Finally: "The princess that was is no more. She died years ago." The sword remained drawn. Though she didn't respond on the issue of my ethnicity, I knew the question must still remain within her.
I chose not to push on either subject. We looked at each other, stiff and unblinkingly. The air felt colder, thicker.
A rumble suddenly echoed in the distance, faint yet audible.
Her head cocked to the side, her vision darting quickly over her shoulder before returning to me. She lowered her weapon, but still had it ready in her grasp. "I suppose if you were sent here deliberately, you would be able to use what's on your back."
Oh, come on! Her, too? I gritted my teeth.
"Give me your weapon. No sudden movements." She demanded.
"What?" I blurted out.
Her sword arm raised itself once more.
"Okay, okay! Fine!" I reached over to grab the spear. Delicately, I handed the weapon to her. She snatched it, twirled it in the air and slid her arm behind her head, the soft sound of wood grazing leather finalized with a thuck. A harness similar to mine was on her back.
"You're coming with me." The young woman told me, and before I had a chance to interject, "Whether or not you're an Imperial spy is irrelevant at this point. You could easily been seen and killed, and then they'll come looking for me or any other of my men."
"How many of you are down here?" I blurted out, but immediately regretted doing so.
Her eyes narrowed, suspicious yet again. The princess stepped towards me, threateningly. "What concern is that of yours if you wish to get out of here alive?"
"Right, okay! I got it, but how do you expect me to defend myself if something happens?" I argued.
"I'm more than able to fight and heal. And I didn't take away your magicks. Besides, if things go according to plan, there shouldn't be much strife." She stated, voice solid. "Walk ahead of me. I don't want you out of my sight … and keep this in mind: if you attempt to turn on me, I will gut you. If you attempt to flee, I will run my sword through your back."
I knew that this particular mission for the Resistance was important, but I wasn't expecting this, I thought as I moved in front of her. But, what else should I be expecting? She might be trying to escape. She's clearly separated from her men already. After all, the princess or Resistance leader should have bodyguards. And … she probably didn't kill me because I might not be too far from the entrance, and would draw too much attention if I scream beforehand … and if she attempted to hide my corpse on her own it'd waste time. A question I suddenly thought of made me feel weak: Would she try to kill me later?
"I'll tell you where to go. Walk, and not too far from me." She ordered. I obeyed, feeling myself shake off a tremble.
Seconds went by with her at my back, practically feeling her breath on my neck. With a grimace I realized I was the perfect human shield. Maybe that was how she planned on getting rid of me.
The soft pitter patter and scurrying of rat feet echoed within the occasional silence. Ashe stepped lightly, nimble and graceful, but ultimately with a sense of pride. I lifted my boots high enough off the ground so that I wouldn't be noisily shuffling and extended my legs to make sure I didn't get a quip from Ashe to hurry up.
Another explosion sounded in the distance.
I heard Ashe's breathing take a nervous hitch.
"Are … are you okay?" I asked softly.
"I'm fine." Her hard voice resounded. "We need to make better time."
"Well, I think the only way would be for you to take the lead." I told her, turning to face the princess. I saw the corners of her mouth twitch, preparing to shoot down my idea, but a sigh merely escaped her lips. She brushed past me. Without looking at me she muttered, "The same rules apply. I don't want to kill you. But I absolutely will if I must."
"I understand." I breathed. So she's human – er, hume – afterall, I concluded as I followed her closely.
The more paths we took, the less I knew where I was. I couldn't tell if things were looking familiar because I had seen them in the game, or if it was because everything just looked the same in the waterway. I frowned, trying to fight the urge to stare at Ashe's boots instead of staying alert. The task was difficult, and the situation was peculiar.
"Where are the monsters?" I whispered.
"So you noticed that as well." She replied. "If you see any movement at all, tell me."
"But if there aren't any monsters, what do we have to be worried about?" I questioned.
"Men." Ashe answered.
I bit my lip. It made sense. What would hinder a Resistance trap more than a bunch of beasties patrolling the underground? Clear out the monsters, make things easier.
Together, we moved further into the waterway, where the water grew darker, dirtier. Grimier. I saw strange liquid flowing in the water, thick and tinted a color I couldn't quite determine. Not black. Not brown. I peered closer at the swirling, expanding fluid. When we moved closer to a scarce lamp, I saw a glimmer of red.
I gasped, and quickly glanced up at Ashe, who caught my gaze as soon as I made a peep. She quickly put a finger to her lips, telling me to hush. She tipped her head in the water's direction and nodded. She knew.
The princess shifted her stance, becoming more predatory, her sword now drawn. A pang of fear hit me. I curled my fingers into my palms to stop my hands from shaking. I wanted my spear. I didn't even care if I barely had experience with it, or even if I couldn't use it right, so long as it was in my grasp.
Ashe cautiously stepped forward as we were approaching a corner. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with anxiety, but her sword was steady. She braced her torso with her shield, preparing for the worst.
Hours seemed to pass by as she strafed closer and closer until just as she was about to turn –
"Squreeeeeeee!"
I jumped a foot in the air.
Ashe flinched.
A rat had bolted from around corner, fat and bristly-furred. It's long, rubbery tail swished behind the creature as it fled past us.
A moment went by with us looking at each other, feeling relieved and a little stupid. I leaned against a wet stone wall, dropping my temple against the slimy chill. The blonde suddenly took in a sharp breath. "Do you hear that?"
I paused, trying to hear something over the beating of my own heart. Instantly, I straightened up. At first, the sound could have been mistaken for the roar of water. Maybe a sluice gate opening. Until the squeaking started.
Another rat scurried towards us, followed by another. And another. Pretty soon they ran from us in pairs, then in threes, then in dozens. I froze as I saw some as large as rabbits bumping past my feet. Ashe ferociously batted the rodents away with her shield. When the smaller ones tried to climb up my pant legs to get away, I shrieked, kicking madly.
That was when the creatures seemed to pour from the corner, spilling into the water, climbing overtop each other, like a live, four foot tall breathing wall of filth and gnashing yellow teeth.
"Move, move!" I felt hands grab my sleeve, dragging me away. The owner of the set of hands was clearly Ashe. Her shield was in front of her, her sword now in its sheath. An escape was what we needed. All we needed.
I stepped on large fuzzy rat bodies, hearing them cry out, having them answer back with nasty bites. I could feel blood trickling down my shins and could only wonder how Ashe was making out with her rather revealing outfit.
"What happened?!" I shouted, swatting at my back as I felt pointy-nailed feet crawling up my jacket. "Why are they doing this?"
I didn't receive an answer until we made a sharp turn into an alcove. Panting, we pressed ourselves against the wall, watching drove after drove of rodents run further and further away. We were happily ignored in our little nook.
"Something must have terrified them." She said when she finally got her breath back. "Or started slaughtering them by the hundreds."
"What, like exterminators?" I welcomed the wall's support once again, feeling my throat burn. So much for being calm and not creating a ruckus.
Ashe eyed me coolly. "Exterminators?" She scoffed. "No. We have one of two possibilities. One being the Empire, the other, a fiend which even the lowest, vile of creatures fear." She took a step forward, winced, and grasped at her thigh, which was covered in long scratches. A strip of flesh appeared as if it was ripped from her leg.
"I have Potions if you need one." I offered, wincing.
She shook her head. "No need. But … thank you."
I smiled. "You're welcome. I …" Fighting my awkwardness, I decided to break the ice now that we were in safety, however temporary it was. "I'm Lary, by the way."
"Amalia." She nodded. Closing her eyes, she placed a hand on her wounds. With great concentration, her face strained. A green hue sparkled from her fingertips, white light mending her skin in small ribbons of flesh. I watched, amazed. A Cure spell!
I averted my gaze before she caught how interested I was in something probably so simple and mundane as a curative spell. The last thing we both needed was more questions and mistrust between us.
"It may be near impossible to make time, but we must try." Ashe stepped out of the alcove. Her hand slowly lifted up, then went back down to her side. I raised an eyebrow at her behavior. Again, the hand crept up, until it finally, most hesitantly, grabbed my spear. She passed it back to me. "Don't make me regret that."
"You won't." I stated, feeling my fingers flex around my weapon. Finally! I placed it on my back until it would be needed.
"Let's go." She ordered, royal flair returning.
As soon as I exited the small space, a shrill neighing rippled from the direction where the rats fled. We spun around. A horse? I thought. What would a horse be … oh … shit, the Firemane!
"I believe that might be what scared the vermin." The princess seemed wonderful at putting two and two together. "Let's not stay to see why it's so frightening."
"Y-yeah." I agreed, and we moved our pace to a brisk jog.
When we came to a set of stairs leading up to a clearing, she stopped. "There will be many open spaces ahead of us. Stay close to the walls and shadows."
"Will do." I said, my boots right behind hers as we ascended. In such openness, our footsteps echoed no matter how quiet we were. Every little sound seemed amplified, but still we stuck close to darkness and corners regardless, the sounds of water rushing and splashing enveloping us.
Moving back into shadowed areas, we finally came across a metal gate. A massive lock rested on the entrance. Looking quite pleased, Ashe reached into a pocket and pulled out a key. "This should be it." Placing the key into the lock, she waited for the mechanism to click. It didn't. "…What?"
"Maybe it's the wrong door?" I suggested half-heartedly.
"No." She shook her head. "No."
"Hahah!" A voice jeered behind us. "Ye thought ye could jus' walk away from what ye've done tonigh'! We've been changin' locks for a week now, expectin' this."
My eyes widened when I heard the metal on metal. I turned and saw three Imperials, but not in heavy armor. They wore leathered equipment. Probably the best for being stealthy in the watery, echo-y underground. In each of their hands was a weapon. The one who spoke first had a long sword.
"A little wide-eyed, bushy tailed girl?" The tallest one of them laughed, casually fiddling with his dagger, a jagged, serrated blade. "I don't even remember hearing about a Resistance member who even matches her description. No, it must be the other one."
Ashe closed her eyes and dropped her head forward. A hand went to her harness.
"Turn around." Another voice called out, this time to Ashe. "We want to see what's so special about the trash that's been killing our men." This one had a crossbow.
The princess boldly turned, her head raised high.
"That's the one." The tallest murmured.
""Ey! Get yer hand off that sword." The sword-arm warned.
"Get out of my city." She rasped.
I felt ice tighten around my chest. We were all kinds of screwed, and she was willing to piss them off even more or do something stupid.
The one with the crossbow readied his weapon. "You can die peacefully, or we can split your insides apart while you're still kicking."
"Allow me to return the offer!" She hissed, pyre bursting forth from her hands. I threw myself back, hands shielding my face. I wouldn't be surprised if my hair was crispy at the ends. When I looked up, I saw the Fire spell had engulfed the soldier with the ranged weapon, and that Ashe was throwing herself into a battle.
Her sword was in her hand, shield in the other. She dove in towards the flaming warrior and thrust her sword deep into his solar plexus before the other Imperials had time to react.
"Cunt!" The solider with the long sword growled. With her sword still in the fallen Archadian, she raised her shield just in time to deflect a blow from his sword. She placed a boot against the chest of the current hume scabbard and shoved, allowing her weapon to slide free as the warrior crumpled to the ground.
"It's the las' nigh' ye breathe, bitch!" The foul-mouthed swordsman continued, lunging violently toward Ashe. She was ready for his assault, and parried with her sword when he struck out. With a light spin, she turned and brought the edge of her shield to his throat, making him squeal and gasp as blood showered from the wound. He fell to the stone floors, clutching his neck, sword discarded.
I backed up until I hit the locked door, horrified. Thank God I stayed on her good side, I grimly thought as watched the fight. I noticed the man with the knife as Ashe kicked the sword further away from the downed man, who feebly started grasping at her boots. While she was shaking herself free from him, the last solider advanced.
No! I squeezed my eyes shut and summoned the image of a spell in my mind. I felt the soft hum of energy run through me until crackling wisps of lightning wanted release from my body. I flung the Thunder spell at the remaining fighter, who, with both hands raised, was inches from grabbing Ashe's hair and most likely pulling her head back for access to her vulnerable throat.
Electrified, he shook in place, his eyes wide with fright and the knowledge he was beyond help, especially when Ashe sunk her sword in his sternum and twisted the blade slowly, back and forth. Blood and smoke emanated from the man until he finally gurgled and slumped against her weapon.
My hand clasped against my mouth; I felt ill. I had never seen people butchered like this before. Nor had I seen someone relish the act like Ashe had. It was the vengeance in her that bubbled up for the kills. And I … I played a part in someone's death. Someone's murder.
She at last looked me, a bead of perspiration rolling down the side of her face. Breathing heavy, she walked towards me. "We don't have much longer. The rest of the squadron will be sent out, if they're not already here." When she came closer, I gingerly stepped aside. Her focus was on the lock. With a grunt, she swung her sword down on the device. Again, she tried.
Frustrated, she faced me. "Hit the lock with a Thunder spell." It was another order, filled with impatience. Not wanting to cross her, I nodded. Ashe backed away before the bolts of lightning fried the lock. While it appeared to be still in place, one last whack from Ashe's sword caused it to pop open.
Making an agreeable sound, she pushed open the door. After walking about two feet, she stumbled, cursing under her breath. Perplexed, I looked down to see a thread of wire at her feet.
"Trip wire." She muttered. Then, glancing over my shoulder, she shouted: "Run!"
Not even bothering to look at what caught her eye, I tore after her, happy to be oblivious of what was behind us. Judging by the yells and thudding, clanking footsteps behind us, we were being chased. But by how many guards was something I wasn't going to seriously consider. I had a funny feeling they all came out of the woodwork after they might've heard the scuffle with the three now dead men, and of course, the little trick with the wire would bring more to our location real soon.
Groaning, I pushed my legs to move faster. I managed to get side-by-side with Ashe, whose eyes flickered to me, and a set of stairs in front of us. "Go!" She told me between intakes of air. "They only want me!"
Without much acknowledgement, I fled down the stairs when we hit them. Sure enough, a handful of Imperials kept racing after her, but I ran in the water, knowing they would be after me as well. Just because their main target was her didn't mean they wanted loose ends alive.
I heard grunts and groans on the pathway above me; she was still fighting as they strove to take her out. Ashe is a hell of a lot tougher than me, I kicked more water up in the air and all over me. But can she handle all of them? And where is she going? Where am I even … No. Way.
I stopped in my tracks.
About an hundred feet before me approached a party of three descending down a set of stairs.
One, a strikingly tall and beautiful woman with silvery long hair and oddly enough, long bunny ears. Willowy and slender, her black armor and heels accentuated her fine Viera features.
The other was a handsome man, his walk more of a cocky swagger. It seemed as if everything from his reddish-brown styled hair to his expensive taste in attire had been coordinated with minimal effort and distinguished vanity.
The third member was a lean, lost-looking but excited teenage boy who was –
"VAAN!" I screamed.
He practically fell over. "L-Lary? Uh … Whu …What are you -?"
"There!" I gasped, pointing above me. The chase had managed to find its way to a ledge close by with nowhere but a steep drop to go. The loud cries from the flustered soldiers could be heard from below.
Attempting to sneak behind Ashe, an Imperial was unlucky enough to have her spinning around, slashing him in the chest. He fell screaming to his death.
"Who would be next?!" She challenged.
"Close ranks! Bring her down!" Growled a gruff would-be leader. They pushed in closer and closer, making her back up more and more. Her strangled breaths echoed throughout the enclosed area. She took a nervous glance behind her.
Vaan impulsively ran forward. "Jump down!" The young princess, unsure, took a gander at her odds once more. "Hurry!" Vaan shouted.
Realizing there was no other way, Ashe jumped.
And at that moment, I knew I'd be in over my head more than I could ever imagine.
