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!

21. Arenvald's Adventure

Chapter 19: Arenvald's Adventure

"Is that everyone?!" Alphinaud asked, wiping the sweat from his brow with shaking hands as the last few Imperials fell to the floor. The Flames that he had been fighting alongside with had gone running on ahead to secure the rest of the palace while he went running up another flight of stairs looking for Claire.

He passed by Raubahn, who had caught up to Lord Hien, Yugiri, and the rest of the Domans—helping them to fight off the last few stragglers as Alphinaud reached a point where he could go no higher. The only thing left were the crumbled remains of some magitek armor laying in pieces about a pair of massive stone doors.

He placed his hands on the door, trying to get it to open before he felt the familiar trace of an aether pushing him back out. Whatever was happening beyond this point… someone didn't want him to interfere.

"Alphinaud!"

He looked back to see that Lyse was running towards him, covered in blood and sweat, but still looking ready to fight as she joined him.

"Lyse!" he cried back, "Full glad I am to see you well! What of the others?!"

"As far as I know, everyone's alright," Lyse panted, "They're securing the rest of the city. Those few Imperials who aren't dead have surrendered and are being taken into the Alliance's care until something can be decided about them. But we're almost there! All that's left is to deal with Zenos!"

She then looked up to the stone doors and gasped out, "Those got to be the doors to the throne room! That must have been when Zenos is!"

"Lyse, wait!" Alphinaud warned, but Lyse already charged at the door, only to be thrown backwards by the surge of aether that blocked their way.

Lyse cursed under her breath as she glared at the door and Alphinaud ran over to help her back up.

"I fear that Claire is already battling with Zenos," he said as she wiped a trace of blood from her mouth.

"I figured that much," Lyse grumbled, "Hien said to me that he saw Claire come up this way a while ago. I guess I hoped that I could make it in time to help."

But they couldn't. Zenos seemed determined to keep anyone else out of this while he dealt with the Warrior of Light. They could only stare at the door, feeling fear in the pits of their stomachs at the battle that their friend was up against. Always, they had faith that she would return to them alive… but she was up against a foe who had beaten her twice before. They could not honestly say how this would go.

"All of Zenos's men have already fallen," Lyse said as she began breathing hard, shaking slightly. "The palace is as good as ours! If Zenos loses… then Ala Mhigo… then Ala Mhigo will finally be free."

"Lyse, do you know of any other way to get into the throne room?" Alphinaud asked quickly, not planning on waiting around if he could help it. "Is there nothing else we can do to help?"

But she shook her head in a lost way, not having any ideas and he was the one who cursed this time. However, before he could think of something drastic, he heard it… a distinctive roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the palace. The roar was so great that they about fell over, having to cover their ears in pain.

"What the bloody hells was that?!" Lyse cried out, true fear written all over her face as Alphinaud felt himself go bone white. He remembered, what felt like a lifetime ago, when he was on board the Enterprise when they went on their Skyfishing trip… he could remember hearing Bismarck's roars and how their little airship felt like it was going to be shook apart… and this was too similar for it to be anything else.

"No…" he croaked as he looked around for the nearest window and flew to it, "It can't be!"

"It can't be what?!" Lyse yelled as she joined him, also looking out.

But he didn't dare answer as he realized that he was right. Gods… why did he have to be right about this?

"What is that?!" Lyse screamed out in terror.

A massive dragon, with wings that seemed to cover the sky, a long tail that was layered in thick, crystalline scales… it's entire body enveloped in a dark green glow…?

"Shinryu!" Alphinaud gasped, knowing that it couldn't possibly be any other creature. He could only watch as the primal soared over the palace and the city itself… causing screams of panic and confusion right below them. But Shinryu didn't seem too interested with what was going on below as it tilted upwards and soared, almost gracefully, along the stone walkways that connected the roof to many other platforms above them. At one point, he watched as it went crashing right through one of the walkways before coming to hover above one large stone platform.

"I guess he wasn't kidding when Fordola said that he had the powers of an Eikon on his side," Lyse gulped as Alphinaud kept his eyes on where the primal was… watching how it began slashing out with its claws and wings.

"How much do you want to bet that she's up there…?" Lyse asked and Alphinaud covered his eyes with his hands in horror. For that terrible second, he thought for sure that they had sent the Warrior of Light off to her death.

Why? It was bad enough that she was fighting against Zenos, they had to throw a primal into the mix as well? What was the point?!

"Wait… does this mean that Zenos is beaten?" Lyse asked quickly as Shinryu brought down bolts of lightning upon the platform.

"I don't know, nor do I care at the moment!" Alphinaud yelled back as Shinryu moved back, away from the platform, but still close enough to keep it in its sights. "Wait, is that…?!"

"I think he's powering up!" Lyse yelled out, her own eyes wide in fear as Shinryu's wings were bathed in pure power. Upon the platform, it looked like miniature meteors were falling down upon it, and then there were a horde of small winged dragons flocking about.

But the winged creatures quickly died down before Shinryu unleashed a devastating power that caused the two of them to duck down beneath the wall. The blast was enough that dust shook from the ceiling and the tremors were enough to make one think that they were in the middle of an earthquake.

That was when he heard it…

"THE HEAVENS ARE TOO SMALL A FIELD FOR OUR DANCE! LET US TRANSCEND THIS MORTAL COIL!"

"No!" Lyse cried as she looked up, already halfway out the window as she stared wildly about. "That was… that was Zenos's voice?!"

"It was?!" Alphinaud yelled as he jumped up as well. "But… how is that…?"

Wait… he remembered Ysayle and the archbishop and what they had done to grow more powerful. No… it couldn't be… could Zenos have…? Did he really…?

There was a flash of green light upon the platform and he looked back at once to see that the primal was now soaring about it, high above them, to sinking down below the thick clouds of aether. He could hear even more screams of terror from below, and for a moment, he feared that the Warrior of Light had fallen and that Shinyru had turned its attention to gaining more followers. Just then…?

With an almighty CRASH the primal came soaring straight upwards, crashing it's head through the platform as it continued flying straight up, heading into the heavens without bothering to stop. The sky above them had turned as dark as night as currents of aether began to mix with Shinyru's power, charging off dangerously as Alphinaud watched the tip of Shinyru's tail disappear.

"Wait! What happened?! Is she…?!" Lyse screamed out, now leaning out so far that she was close to falling out the window and he had to pull her back.

"THIS DAY WE SHALL WRITE A NEW LEGEND, MY FRIEND! THIS BATTLE SHALL ECHO IN ETERNITY!"

"No! She's not dead!" Alphinaud cried, realizing where she must be. "She's still fighting!"

But that was all they knew for sure. From below, all he could tell for sure was that she was fighting Shinyru in the very heavens themselves. He was vaguely aware of his hands digging into the stone below him as he watched the flashing of power and lightning surge between the clouds as more roars were sounded off.

Once in a while, massive boulders would fall through the clouds and crash below them upon the palace's many towers. More roars could be heard, and Alphinaud did not think he could exaggerate believing that they could be heard all the way back in Doma with how loud they were.

"She's gonna make it, I know she is!" Lyse yelled out determinedly, after what felt like hours of agonizing waiting. "Come on! She's not called a Primal Slayer for nothing! This is her specialty!"

Alphinaud didn't dare bring himself to speak as he kept his eyes to the heavens, praying to every single god individually, hoping that everything would be alright.

Perhaps the gods have heard him after all… for after what felt like days, the surge of aether slowly began to fade, along with the distinctive roars. The sky soon cleared up, revealing a bloody sunset and he sucked in a lungful of air that he didn't realize he needed.

"Look!" Lyse cried, and he looked to see that she was pointing to the doors to the throne room. The aether that had blocked them had vanished and she went charging forward to kick them open.

"The way's clear! Let's go!" she yelled and she ran forward, with him right on her heels.

He didn't pay any attention to the empty throne as Lyse quickly discovered the passageway behind it and they raced down it, leading out to the rooftop.

And never… in his life… did he feel more relieved than when he broke out onto the very rooftop and saw her standing there waiting for them. He barely paid any notice of Zenos on the ground and coughing up blood…

All he could think of was… 'Thank you, gods. Thank you…'

*End of Flashback*

"And so that was how the battle went?" Alisaie asked when he paused for breath.

"Indeed it was," Alphinaud nodded, "I can scarcely tell you how horrified we were when we saw Shinryu, of all beings, appear from out of nowhere. Claire told us how Zenos was bragging about how Garleans had managed to find it after it was entrapped by Omega's bindings. Apparently, this was the trump card that Zenos had stored up in the Royal Menagerie and he was showing it off to her before unleashing it."

"And he actually found a way to fuse together with it?" Alisaie asked in wonder.

"We know it's possible to summon a primal by using one's own body for a vessel," Alphinaud reminded her, "But to have merged together with one in such a manner? If it wasn't for her eye witness to it, I would struggle to believe it."

"To think that she had to fight the combined strength of Zenos and a primal at once?" Alisaie asked in awe. "Full glad I am that she is on our side. I saw her just the other day in Limsa, and you would never guess that she emerged from such a battle after a mere few weeks."

"Agreed," Alphinaud said, smiling a little. "You could have told me where you went, you know?"

"I suspected that you would try to stop me," she retorted knowingly. "I didn't do anything I shouldn't have. I went out with my friends… we had tea and sweets. But what about this 'appointment' of yours?"

"I assure you that it wasn't at all what you think it is," Alphinaud told her. "Nothing happened."

"So you did meet with her later?" Alisaie poked at with another wide grin, "You certainly returned back to my sickbed rather late. It was near the dawning hours by the time that you arrived at the Reach again."

"It was a long journey," he retorted.

"Why not use the aetheryte to travel here quickly, then?" she pressed on, "What were you two doing?"

He opened his mouth—possibly to tell her to mind her own business—when he heard someone calling out his name. He looked up to see Arenvald, of all people, skidding to a stop in front of him, looking like he had run here from the other side of the Reach.

"Arenvald?" Alphinaud asked in great surprise. "What brings you here? Is aught amiss?"

"Huh? Oh, no, nothing like that," Arenvald panted, "No, I was here looking for you. Listen, I was hoping that you would be up for a little adventure with me."

Alphinaud raised his eyebrows at that as Arenvald quickly told him about going on an adventure into a possible dangerous unknown for something that may or may not exist.

"I see," Alphinaud said, noticing how vague that Arenvald was about this adventure. "Well, as exciting as it sounds, I'm not sure if now is the best time to be leaving for any great lengths of time. What with all the unrest in Ala Mhigo…?"

"Rest assure, we won't be leaving Gyr Abania," Arevnald reassured him. "I mean, if we do, that would be a great surprise. But I'm sure that it's here."

"What exactly is it that you are referring to, Arenvald?" Alphinaud pressed him curiously. "I can't say for sure unless I know what is going on."

"Oh, why are you bothering with him?" Alisaie asked flapping her hand like she was swatting a fly, "I don't know why you would want such a stick in the mud like him to come with you. Though, now that I think of it, it will get him to leave me alone for a time. I like that plan. Why don't you go, dear brother?"

"Oh please, Alphinaud," Arenvald pleaded, "It won't just be the two of us either. I invited the Warrior of Light as well! She's waiting by the aetheryte for us. Come on!"

Alisaie was smirking at him, he just knew it, but he kept his focus on Arenvald.

"Really? Well, that's all the more reason you should go, isn't it, Alphinaud?" she asked, "I'm sure that they would appreciate the company. Even if journeying with you is as dull as one of Urianger's tomes."

*The Waking Sands*

Urianger was just brewing himself a cup of tea when he let out another violent sneeze. Again? He found himself sneezing an awful lot these days.

"I pray that I am not close to befalling some dreadful malady," he muttered to himself as he added some honey to his tea.

*The Reach*

Alphinaud glared at his sister before she added, "I don't see why you would hesitate at all. If it were me, I would jump at a chance for a little fun. But you're going to leave me behind on bedrest, as you are won't to do. But if you rather, I can be more than happy to go along in your stead."

"I never said that I didn't want to go," he retorted back before folding his arms and looked back to Arenvald. "Well, in light of all that has happened, how can I ignore such an exciting proposal, now can I?"

Arenvald cheered at that as Alphinaud looked back to his sister and added, "I'll be gone for a short amount of time, but while I'm away, please… please, sister. Don't try to do anything you shouldn't. You're still recovering."

"I was well enough to travel to Limsa on my own," she pointed out.

"Yes, but you've been wincing the entire time that you got back," he pointed out and he saw her put a hand to her ribs at those words. "I know that it must still hurt. So, I will not ask this again. Please, for my sake, just stay here and rest so that you can recover safely. That is all I want."

She huffed, but she nodded, and he knew the only reason she was agreeing with him was because she was still in a lot of pain.

"Very well," she sighed, "But only if you promise to regale me with a good story about this 'adventure' of yours. I swear, I will not stand by and listen to another lecture about the politics that we should be looking for a rebuilding nation."

Alphinaud gave a mock bow to his sister before joining Arenvald, who happily led him across the Reach, and to the sheltered area near the entrance. Claire was already there, waiting for them, and her eyes lit up when she saw them.

Alphinaud beamed at the sight of her, his heart soaring whenever he saw that smile, and couldn't help but return it.

"Greetings, Claire," he said to her, "'Twould seem we are to accompany Arenvald on some manner of escapade. Have you any idea what we've gotten ourselves into?"

Claire shook her head as Arenvald cleared his throat.

"Allow me to explain," he began, "It'll be something of a history lesson, but I'll try to be brief. No snoring, if you please. Now, the events I would speak of occurred before the occupation ─ back when Ala Mhigo was still a monarchy, and Theodoric sat the throne."

"A uniquely brutal despot, by all accounts," Alphinaud said when he looked to him, folding his arms, and recalling the books he had read about the King of Ruin. They said that his rule was the last and bloodiest in Ala Mhigo's history; rivalling even the hardships the Garleans brought upon its people.

"That he was," Arenvald agreed before going on, "The King of Ruin suffered no rivals, real or imagined, and his dispute with the monks of the Fist ended with Rhalgr's Reach being burned to the ground."

Yes, he knew about that as well. And Alphinaud looked up to the statue of Rhalgr above them… to where he remembered reading that the Monk's main temple was at the top. The King made sure that none were spared in the massacre, and the Monk's order had but been destroyed.

"In the latter years of his rule, he was seized by the unshakable belief that unseen forces were conspiring to steal his crown," Arenvald went on explaining, "And so he ordered that every soul with a claim to the throne be executed ─ including his own family. The wealth of the poor sods he put to death became the property of the king, and it's said that these royal treasures were hoarded somewhere in the palace. Thus was born the legend of the 'mad king's trove'."

"Ah," Alphinaud said in understanding, seeing the path that Arenvald was treading and what this 'adventure' of theirs was all about. "I believe I see the direction our adventure is to take. I assume you have a mind to unearth this hidden bounty?"

"You assume correctly!" Arenvald said with a big grin, glad to see he caught on so quickly.

"And would I also be correct in assuming that this legend is widely known?" Alphinaud asked, finding it unlikely that such a tale would be a secret, "Others must surely have gone in search of your prize, tempting as it seems."

"Well, of course we won't be the first to make the attempt. Following Ala Mhigo's liberation, more than a few eager soldiers turned the palace upside down in hopes of claiming an easy fortune," Arenvald admitted, "But even after scouring every room from dawn till dusk, they uncovered not a single coin. Their gold-lust drained away as quickly as it had come, and the legend of the mad king's trove remains simply that ─ a legend."

"But I see you have no intention of letting the story end there," Alphinaud guessed, also finding himself smiling.

"What self-respecting adventurer would!? Imagine: the three of us, delving into a decades-old mystery!" Arenvald laughed as he punched his fists together, "Tell me the thought doesn't set your heart to racing!"

Alphinaud looked to Claire—and like he thought—she was also grinning and he was already feeling excitement pumping through his veins.

"The news of Doma and Ala Mhigo's liberation has kindled the flames of revolution in every corner of the Empire," Alphinaud stated, wondering where they should start their search, "I hear the imperial province of Dalmasca has already risen up in rebellion…"

With so much uprisings happening, it seemed unlikely that the Garleans would be marching to retake anything for awhile. Which was good news for them, for he doubted that their forces would stand a chance in their states. But he doubted that this peace would last for long. This could be their only chance to have some fun… for the foreseeable future anyway.

"…Which means the Garleans must surely have their hands full," he then added slowly to his friends, deciding that now may not be the best time to bring this up. "What better time than now to indulge in such a diversion? Tell us, Arenvald ─ have we any clues as to where we might begin our search?"

"Well, judging by how the other treasure hunters fared, nosing about the palace isn't like to get us anywhere, so…we'll probably need to, uh…ask around," Arenvald trailed off.

"Would that be another way of saying 'no'?" Alphinaud asked.

"Well…" Arenvald chuckled uncomfortably, "Heh heh heh! Yes."

Looks like they had their work cut out for them. Then again, if this was supposed to be easy, someone would have found the treasure a long time ago.

"I see," Alphinaud said slowly, "In that case, I shall pay a visit to the Allied archivists and request access to the records seized from the imperials. The Garleans are meticulous about such things. If they uncovered the trove during their occupation, the event is certain to have been recorded."

If nothing else, it was sure to give them a place to start.

"In the meantime, the two of you can track down those who worked as palace servants and officials in Theodoric's day," Alphinaud added to the pair of them, knowing that they would need as much information as they could find, and the archivists were unlikely to have much information about rumors. "Given that they would have been at least twenty at the time, you will be looking for people who have seen forty summers or more," he finished up, "Anything they can tell you about the king and his bloody deeds may prove useful, so be sure to listen well. Arenvald, pray try your luck in the Fringes and the Peaks whilst Claire makes the rounds in the Ala Mhigan Quarter."

"Hah!" Arenvald laughed out excitedly, "And there I was thinking I was the party leader. Not that I mind, of course!" he added quickly, "Let's be about it, eh? We can meet afterwards at Gylbarde's Gate!"

Alphinaud waved them off as he went to the Allied archivists, where he took a look over all the records that he could find on the mad king and any sort of treasure. From what he found, he discovered that during the King of Ruin's rein, that not only did he claim all of his fallen family member's possession, he had also taxed the poor people to within an inch of their lives. They had been forced to surrender much of their belongings until it felt that there wasn't a gil left in the entire nation.

A massive fortune that seemingly vanished shortly before the King's death.

So, it would seem that at least part of Arenvald tale was at least plausible.

But other than that, he found very little else in terms of evidence. He supposed that it was possible that it was found and someone rewrote such a discovery for selfish gain… yet if there was as much as it was suggested here, he found it unlikely that such a vast fortune could have been hidden.

Right now there were only two possibilities. That the treasure didn't exist… or the Imperials had overlooked it.

About a bell later, he returned to the Ala Mhigan quarter, having tracked down Arenvald, and told that he had found out precious little that they didn't already know. That the Mad King used to hold public executions and anyone who was suspected of conspiring against the crown was executed in brutal manners. Apparently, it got to the point that the only time that Theodoric would leave the palace was to attend the executions… until he grew so paranoid that he dared not take a step out of the palace, seeing assassins in every shadow.

He waited until Claire had returned and joined with them before he went any further.

"Since we're all here, why don't we share what we've learned?" Arenvald asked them both excitedly.

"Allow me to begin, then," Alphinaud said as he cleared his throat, "As promised, I scoured the imperial records for any mention of fantastic treasures…and found precisely none. It is just possible, I suppose, that a corrupt official deliberately hid the fact of the trove's discovery, hoping to enrich himself ─ but I find it rather unlikely that so valuable a find would stay secret for long. I conclude that our prize either does not exist, or that the imperials somehow overlooked it. But what of you, Claire? Were your investigations any more fruitful?"

She nodded and told them about the elder scribe she had met.

"He said that in his last days the king's methods for killing his own kin had grown even more grisly," she explained quietly. "Apparently that only a few knew of what he had done. He had ordered a court thaumaturge to curse the few remaining members of the royal family by transforming them into fiends before casting them into the darkness below the palace."

"…Turned into monsters?" Alphinaud gasped in horror at the thought of such a fate, "And what could he mean by this 'darkness beneath the palace,' I wonder…"

"I met an old man in Ala Ghiri who spoke of the palace's subterranean prison, but he said naught of cursed abominations!" Arenvald cried out with wide eyes.

"The imperial archives were also silent on the subject of fiends inside the palace grounds," Alphinaud added, frowning as he tried to be calm and rational about this.

"Could this scribe fellow have been spinning her a yarn, do you think?" Arenvald asked, suddenly doubtful, "Did you believe him, Claire?"

"His fear seemed genuine," Claire answered back quietly.

Well, Alphinaud always did trust her judgement. If the man seemed that afraid of this, there is a good chance that he spoke the truth. But…?

"If he was afraid, that does lend credence to the tale ─ though I'm not sure how that helps us in our search," Arenvald sighed.

But that was when something stirred in the back of Alphinaud's memory. Something that he had read a long time ago when he was studying up on the history of Ala Mhigo. And that was when the answer seemed to be staring at them in the face.

"Do not be so hasty ─ Ernold's anecdote may very well have told us where the trove is hidden," Alphinaud stated at once, but he turned his attention back to Arenvald and asked, "But ere I share my theory, there is a matter I would clarify. Arenvald, you spoke of lighthearted adventure, but I sense a deeper motive for this expedition. Why are you so intent on finding this treasure?"

He didn't mean to pry. He knew that it wasn't his place. But he highly doubted that Arenvald had asked them to search for this treasure just for personal gain.

"…It wasn't all pretense, I swear it," Arenvald said, but his expression grew stony before admitting, "But…you're right." His eyes darkened and there was an air of anger in his voice as he confessed, "My father was in the imperial army, a man of Garlean blood. I trust you know what I mean when I say that my Ala Mhigan mother did not welcome my arrival?"

Alphinaud nodded in understanding—not daring to voice it out loud. He had heard many of the horror stories of how some Garlean soldiers took interest in beautiful women. And judging from Arenvald's expression, this was not a story that he wanted to hear the entirety of.

"As I grew, she would check my brow over and over, convinced that a spot on my skin was an emerging third eye ─ like the kind you see in pureblood Garleans. My mother did not care for this taunting reminder of my heritage, and took up a knife…" Arenvald went on, his hand going up to touch his forehead and Alphinaud did his best not to stare or look piteous.

"War paint serves to cover the scar," Arenvald added as he lowered his hand, "In the end, she turned me out into the street, and I was left to haunt the alleyways of Ala Mhigo, a feral child who got what he needed through begging, cunning, or worse. The best I can say about the years that followed is that I survived. But I hated the animal I'd become. Eventually, I left the city behind me, and joined a group of refugees bound for the other side of the Wall. It was then that I turned to adventuring, and that road led me into the company of the Scions. I tell you this so that you understand I know all too well what poverty and hunger can do to a person. I drew steel on ordinary folk for a measly crust of bread. With Theodoric's gold, I could spare my countrymen the shame of living like that."

It all made perfect sense.

Arenvald wasn't doing this for personal gain. He wanted to spare anyone else from suffering like he had done in his youth. Alphinaud looked at him with a new sense of respect and admiration as he smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Arenvald, and I apologize ─ that cannot have been pleasant to recall," Alphinaud said apologetically, but making sure that his respect wasn't hidden as he added, "But I felt it best to be clear in our intentions."

He then looked back to Claire and asked, "Well, Claire? Are you content to surrender the treasure to Arenvald's noble cause, and claim the thrill of adventure as your reward?"

Of course she didn't mind, she beamed back and nodded as he found himself matching… wishing to reach out and take her hand at that moment. "Then I should be glad to tell you my theory on the resting place of the mad king's trove…if you are minded to hear it?"

They waited as he opened his mouth… but then had a burst of inspiration.

"…Actually, mayhap it would be better if we first adjourned to a more suitable location," Alphinaud countered.

"…In case a rival treasure hunter overhears our plans, you mean?" Arenvald asked, "Good thinking!"

"That…was not exactly the reason, but 'tis certainly a valid concern," Alphinaud stated in surprise as he looked back to him, "Let us reconvene on the southern edge of Loch Seld."

Rather than explain his reason, Alphinaud led them to the shores of the salty lake and looked down at the murky waters—remembering how Lyse, Thancred, and Claire all described the ruins they had seen below.

"Forgive me," he said to them as he looked hard at the water, "'Twas not my intention to draw out proceedings. I simply wished to have the loch in sight while I explained things."

They waited as he cleared his throat and began telling them, "Prior to the great flood of the Sixth Umbral Calamity, the salt lakes you see before you were yet dry ravines. And this, believe it or not, was the site of the ancient city of Skalla, which rose and fell during the Fifth Astral Era. From what we know of the period, the city was already deserted by the time the waters began to rise, having been all but destroyed by war. Yet its ruins remain to this day at the bottom of Loch Seld."

He knew that the odds were very much in their favor in this case. The modern day city of Ala Mhigo was built right over ruins of the ancient city of Skalla and if there had to be any place that reached down beneath the place he would wager that meant the ruins themselves.

He then looked back to them and confessed, "It is my belief that the 'darkness beneath the palace' mentioned by Theodoric's former scribe was not a reference to the prison, but to a place still further below: the ruins of Skalla. I further surmise that the mad king's unfortunate kinsmen were cast down there not simply out of a desire to punish them, but to discourage exploration. Theodoric wanted to keep the ruins secure…"

He could think of no other explanation. And it made perfect sense… for who would ever think to search the ruins below them for treasure? Aside from a band of danger-seeking adventurers, that is?

"Prior to the great flood of the Sixth Umbral Calamity, the salt lakes you see before you were yet dry ravine," he went on, "And this, believe it or not, was the site of the ancient city of Skalla, which rose and fell during the Fifth Astral Era."

"Wait…" Arenvald stuttered, realizing where he was going with this. "You're saying…they were meant to guard the mad king's trove!"

"Precisely," Alphinaud said with a grin, "And since we know the court thaumaturge was involved, we can safely assume that any entrance into the old city will have been magically concealed."

"…Which would explain how a legion of imperial soldiers and the gods know how many Ala Mhigans never found a trace of the trove," Arenvald gasped, a wide grin unfurling on his face.

"We, however, have certain advantages which they did not enjoy," Alphinaud finished, before looking to Claire, whom he knew would be more than able to search the loch for them, and asked, "Claire ─ would you be so good as to swim down to the bottom of the loch and search for an underwater route into the ruins? While you do that, Arenvald and I will seek out an ensorcelled portal within the palace."

She nodded as Arenvald gave her an awkward wave and she went deeper into the water until she was up to her knees and dove straight in.

"Hey…?" Arenvald called worriedly but Alphinaud held up his hand, explaining that she would be just fine on her own.

"Honestly, she will be more annoyed with us if we worried," he answered knowingly. "There shouldn't be any danger down there for her… for the time being. Let us do our part and head back to the palace."

They did just that. They returned to the city and were granted permission to set foot inside the palace… but it was only after they walked in through the grand doors did the pair of them realize just how big the palace was.

Finding a door may not be so simple.

"Now then… if you were a king who went mad, where would you go to throw in your enemies into as close as to Hell as possible?" Arenvald asked curiously as he looked about the hallways.

"Well, I can't say for sure, but I do have an idea," Alphinaud stated before leading the way down through the rest of the palace. It was only a guess where they could start. But if it were him and he had a taste for blood, he would have wanted to watch the carnage unfold while in a place of safety while also doing this secretly, where the other servants wouldn't be aware of what was going on.

From what he had learned of the last king of Ala Mhigo's rule… was that near the end of his rein, he had grown so paranoid that he rarely ventured outside the palace… So, there was a reasonable chance that The King of Ruin oversaw these 'executions' from someplace where no one would notice that its prisoners were disappearing. The prison below the palace… where it was just above the ruins of Skalla.

When he suggested this to Arenvald, he saw his eyes widen with realization.

"Yeah! Yeah that makes sense! Good thinking! Boy, am I ever glad that I asked the both of you for help! Without it, I'd be wandering around like an idiot!" he laughed.

Alphinaud smiled back before saying, "Don't be so hard on yourself. 'Twas you who had such selfless goals in mind the entire time. A good way to give back to the people of Ala Mhigo and help them along the road to recovery. You have much to be proud for."

They soon reached traveled down to the lowest part of the palace that they could go, full of cold cells and chains that sent chills up his spin. Ignoring it as best as he could, Alphinaud began searching about, trying to sense any trace of a magical ward.

"So, ah… what is it that we're supposed to be looking for?" Arenvald asked curiously as he looked around the dark and dank prison cells that had housed who knows how many poor souls over the years. "I know a little bit of magic… but only minor healing spells."

"Most never would notice it," Alphinaud agreed, "But I was raised and trained in such magicks. The Studium back in Sharlayan would never have accepted me if I couldn't sense a secret ensorcelled portal. If we can find it here, then all we need to do is remove the wards around it, and the opening will be clear. Just give me a moment…?"

He then began to wander about dungeon, stretching his senses, feeling about for anything that felt like the faintest traces of magicks. He doubted that the palace had seen much of magicks for the last twenty years, what with the Garleans having taken over… but the wards should still be around here somewh…?

He paused as he stepped right up to a section of the wall—at the very back end of the prison. He felt something there… just the faintest trace… like… like a whisper on the wind, but he was sure that he felt it.

"What is it, Alphinaud?" Arenvald asked curiously, noticing that he paused.

"Here," Alphinaud said and looked back at him with a grin. "It's weak, and the thaumaturge who hid it must have been a talented one… but I knew I could find it."

He then reached out and plucked at the magic that tied the wards together and pulled it… like pulling a string and watching it unravel. Almost instantly, a large doorway appeared before them where, just seconds before, had been nothing but stone wall.

Arenvald gasped behind him as Alphinaud grinned, reaching up to his linkpearl and said, "Claire ─ it's Alphinaud. We have searched the prison beneath the palace, and found a door concealed by enchantments. Have you aught to report?"

"Yes," she answered, her voice sounding strange to his ears… but then again, she was most likely still underwater. "I found what looks like a tunnel just below the cliffs. It looks like I can get through here."

"…And you believe it leads into the ruins?" he asked happily, "Excellent. Then I propose we proceed from our respective entry points and look to meet somewhere in the middle."

"Oh, come on, you two ─ we might as well make it a race!" Arenvald laughed, having heard everything, and was now grinning like a child whose nameday had come early. "Victory goes to the first adventurer to find the treasure! Godsspeed!"

Alphinaud rolled his eyes as he lowered his hand and began to descend the stairs that led to the rest of the ruins below.

"You do know that we don't stand a chance here?" he asked him, the further down they went. "Even if you have experience running through dungeons, running through dangerous, monster-filled dungeons is how she makes her living."

"Hey, it's a little extra fun!" Arenvald chortled, "Besides, I really do think that we stand a chance here! We just gotta move fast and…"

But he didn't get a chance to finish for the stairs had suddenly stopped and he had to grab hold of the walls on either side of him to keep himself from tumbling straight off.

Alphinaud stared downwards into a vast, deep and dark pit, trying to find even the tiniest trace of light. But all he could see was just pitch blackness. As dark as a stormy night sky.

"I guess that this is where they felt that it was safe to dump their victims," Alphinaud frowned as he looked around at eye level and finding that the stairs truly did end here. "They wanted to make sure that they were left in the ruins, but had no way of making it back up here."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Arenvald cried, excitement back now that the shock was over. He then jumped down, leaving Alphinaud taken aback by that. But he followed suit, and—to his relief—found light waiting from them from the use of enchanted torches. But as he looked around, he found an entire underground city… which reminded him a little of the Kobolds home of O'Ghomoro… but there was no doubt in his mind that these were the ruins of Skalla and the ancestral of Ala Mhigo. Strong, stone walls surrounding them that wasn't unlike the city that was right above their heads. The only thing he hadn't counted on was that it was full of tunnels and hallways that seemed to cross over each other in all directions.

In all honesty, he had no idea where to go from here.

"By the Twelve," Alphinaud panted as he jumped down a section of crumbling stone, being splashed by the cold water as he spotted Arenvald getting back to his feet, "I knew that the palace was expansive, but I never would have guessed that we were standing above a labyrinth on this scale!"

"Yeah! Just thinking about exploring this place gets my blood going!" Arenvald laughed as he looked eagerly about. "And I'll be damned if the treasure isn't here somewhere! Come on! We best be going if we want to beat the Warrior of Light!"

Alphinaud seriously doubted that they stood a chance, but he was eager for a challenge. He summoned out his Moonstone Carbuncle to help light the way down these dark corridors and they set off together to explore. The light hit the pools of water that they crossed over, making them glow with an eerie light while their footsteps were the only things that could be heard over the dripping sounds.

They walked on a little deeper into this cavern and Alphinaud was thinking to himself that they were going to lose this race solely over how much they will have to look over before even reaching that far when something burst out of the pools.

Alphinaud let out a startled yelp before he quickly felt his hand fly to his side and opening his grimoire while he let his carbuncle defend him. That was how it went for much of the time. They would slay one sort of horrible creature before moving on for a short distance before being attacked again. And not just some any creatures… but beings that he had never seen before… creatures that did not look like they were a part of this world.

There were also series of strange magical ruins upon the ground that when he stepped on, he felt his body shift and he took on a form of one of these horrible monsters. The only good use was that they were able to use these forms to levitate over deep chasms to the other side. But the first time that they discovered this, it was the shock of a lifetime… and he was relieved when the pair of them turned back after less than a minute.

"What the hells just happened to us?!" Arenvald gasped as he checked over his body, making sure that it was back to normal.

"If I had to guess," Alphinaud panted, feeling his heart slowly return to normal after the shock, "That those were put in place by the same thaumaturges who trapped the King's victims down here. There was always a chance that their curses could fade with enough time. I'm guessing that those were set up to ensure that they remain cursed."

"But… we were only cursed for a few seconds there," Arenvald pointed out in confusion.

"Because that was only a tiny piece of the curse," Alphinaud reasoned, "These are just set up to ensure that the full effects on those who had been turned would remain as monsters. I doubt that we need to worry about permanently looking that way so long as we don't remain near those runes for long."

"Good to know," Arenvald said in relief. "Now then, let us keep moving on… but be careful… I think that there might be something around that corner up ahead."

Alphinaud was glad that Arenvald was with him. His cheerful attitude was contagious, and he felt a little safer with his blade at their side. They fought more creatures as they continued deeper, the monsters seemingly appearing from the water or the darkness.

"You know, I can't believe how good it feels to be back running through dungeons again," Arenvald laughed as he wiped the blood off his sword, "It's been ages since I last had the time to do so. A dark and seemingly endless dungeon… full of monsters that are waiting to rip your head off… not sure what you'll find at the end… and the promise of treasure waiting for you! No better way to feel alive, if you ask me."

"It does make one fully appreciate what adventurers go through on a daily basis," Alphinaud admitted, "I hope that Claire is faring well."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about her," Arenvald said confidently, "I'm sure that this feels like nothing for her. She's probably having a blast!"

But at the mention of her name, Arenvald seemed nervous all of a sudden, and was playing about with one of his gauntlets… as if it was no longer fitting right.

"Hey…" he then spoke up slowly, "I was thinking… no, wait… yes. What I meant to say was that I would like your opinion on something."

"Of course," Alphinaud said as he glanced down a random corridor, thinking that this would be the safest way… only to find the deep pit in the floor that would surely led to their deaths, and deciding that they would stick to this path instead.

"Well, I was just thinking that I would ask the Warrior of Light out," Arenvald confessed and Alphinaud felt his entire body freeze in shock at those words before he felt something boiling inside so fiercely that it felt like his insides were scorched. He reacted so quickly that he banged his head on a low ceiling and let out a curse as he rubbed his aching skull.

"W-What…? Could you repeat that, please?" Alphinaud asked. He knew what he said, but he needed a few more seconds to let that sink in.

"Y-Yeah," Arenvald went on, starting to turn red. "I've been thinking about it, and I was wondering if you think that I stand a chance?"

"For what?" Alphinaud said, feeling dread inside the pit of his stomach.

"You know," Arenvald sighed, clearly not liking where this was going, "Of being able to get together with her. She and I aren't that far different in ages… and I'm not bad looking… I mean, I know she could do a lot better than me. But…? It's not like she's seeing anyone else, is there?"

That took him by surprise. Alphinaud had gotten used to the other Scions and their friends poking fun at him for his 'secret' relationship with the Warrior of Light. But he hadn't thought that it was secret to the rest of the world… not anymore anyway.

"Ah… well…" he stuttered out, wondering just what it was that he should say. "I'm not sure why you felt the need to ask me this."

"Well, you two seem close," Arenvald pointed out. "You spend a lot of time together from what I've seen and are really good friends. I figured that if there was anyone who would know what she would say, you would. So, what's your answer?"

"I… I don't…?" he began, and he was almost relieved when another monster came charging out of the dark at them. At least, until he was forced to duck to prevent his head from being ripped off.

"What is that thing?" Arenvald yelled before he charged ahead, his sword held high.

He had no idea… nor did he want to know. Alphinaud yelled out in terror before he snapped back to the matter at hand. He had come too far to give up and start to panic because of some monsters.

No matter how terrifying they were.

"Boy, who would have thought that we would have been seeing critters like 'em, right?" Arenvald asked as he sheathed his blade.

"I can honestly say that it wasn't at the top of my 'to-do' list when I woke up this morning," Alphinaud nodded, feeling tense. They continued downwards, passing by more deserted corridors and even parts of iron bars like cell doors. He couldn't help but wonder if they had wandered into some kind of a prison?

He did his best not to think of that… especially after passing by the remains of skeletons.

"What's that?" Arenvald asked as he paused, taking Alphinaud off guard. He was about to ask what was wrong when he heard something… rather… felt the eyes of something watching them.

He drew his grimoire once again, ready to fight back… when suddenly there was an odd vibration in the stone beneath his feet. It was as if something large was dragging its body along the ground and the sheer weight of it was enough for them to feel it.

Alphinaud gulped hard, feeling sick at the thought of what else was down here.

Even Arenvald seemed shaken as he drew his blade again, and this time he held his shield up, ready to block whatever came at them.

They moved slower, the darkness almost suffocating as they turned a corner… and that was when they discovered just what it was that was lurking out of sight. A monster of gargantuan size—dwarfing all over creatures down here—loomed overhead. It had a thick, black fur with eyes that glowed red in the dark, as well as crimson runes covering its body. A pair of great, black wings burst forth from its shoulders—making it look larger than it was as knife-long fangs burst from its mouth—dripping with saliva and its breath stunk of decay as it turned its attention towards them.

With a battle cry, Arenvald charged, his sword high, but as he rammed his blade into the beast's hide, it all but bounced off it. The monster roared at him, swiping its massive claws at him, which Arenvald used his shield to block… but the impact was enough to send him crashing to the ground.

"Carbuncle!" Alphinaud cried as he ordered the creature to latch onto the monster's head and hold on. The beast, clearly didn't like having this tiny pest scratching its face and was trying to claw it off as Alphinaud flew to Arenvald's side, who was coughing. Winded, but otherwise in one piece.

"What's wrong?!" Alphinaud cried out as he pulled him to his feet, the carbuncle still latched onto the creature's horned head.

"Its hide's too thick!" Arenvald yelled back. "I can't cut through it!"

Alphinaud cursed to himself before calling for them to retreat. The two turned and ran back the way they came, letting the beast to try and scrap off the glowing carbuncle.

"Hurry!" Alphinaud shouted as they ducked down another corridor, "As soon as I move too far away from the carbuncle, it'll fade!"

No sooner did those words come from his mouth did the beast let out a furious roar and the pounding of footfalls told him that the creature was right behind them. They had no idea just where they were going at this point because everything looked the same in his fear-filled mind. It seemed more likely that they were just running about in circles than actually getting anywhere—all the while, the monster was still right behind them. Alphinaud could swear that he felt its hot breath on the back of his neck as he spotted a few bent back bars inside one of the cell-like rooms. Without thinking, he grabbed Arenvald's arm and pulled him through the hole; while easy for him to get through with his small frame, it was much harder for Arenvald, whose bulky armor almost prevented him from getting through. He could hear the armor scrape against the metal as the beast lunged at them, forcing them to move back as its clawed paw went after them. Thankfully, the rest of the creature was too large to fit through as they continued running, hearing its furious roars slowly fade behind them.

They kept moving until they reached an empty corridor and they slumped down against the wall—panting for air and digesting what just happened.

"Well, that's something you don't see every day," Arenvald stated as they looked at the other.

They let out shaky laughter, but kept their voices down so that they didn't need to worry about drawing the creature back towards them. But it seemed that they were alone this time around and decided to catch their breath for a short time before deciding where they should go from here.

"We have to be close to where the treasure is by now," Arenvald stated. "I mean, the mad king must have had a way to be able to bring the treasure back up if he needed it, right?"

"Possibly," Alphinaud agreed slowly, "But I suspect that these creatures were also cursed to obey the thaumaturge who cursed them. It's only a speculation, of course, without having a chance to observe such a curse… not that I would want to. But I think that you are correct. We must be nearing the treasure… especially with such a guard in the way."

"How much do you think'll be there?" Arenvald asked curiously, his eyes lit up at the thought.

"If there is even half as much as I imagine it, then more than enough to help the Ala Mhigan people," Alphinaud reassured him as he took out a piece of paper and began to draw the finishing sketches of the map he had been making mental notes on. "I've been taking note of the way to get out once we find it. We'll be able to use this as a map once we're ready to leave."

"Good thinking! I didn't even think of how we're gonna get out," Arenvald said thoughtfully. "I'm glad that I asked you both to join me! Remind me to ask you to come the next time I decide to go on a treasure hunt!"

They laughed again, glad to be able to rest after all the running they had done. But once their chuckles died down, the silence was back, and Alphinaud felt that there was something else on Arenvald's mind.

Sometimes he hated being right.

"Nice scream," Arevnald poked fun at him as Alphinaud glared back at him through the dark, half wondering if he should just leave him to wander down here on his own.

"So, about what I was asking you earlier?" Arenvald asked him and Alphinaud shook his head, dreading that he was bringing it up again.

"Ah, yes," he said carefully, wondering how he should say this. "While I'm sure that she would be flattered. I'm not sure how well it would work out."

"Really? Why?" Arenvald asked in surprise.

"Because… she's already seeing someone," Alphinaud mumbled, and kept only a little bit ahead of Arenvald so that he could hide his burning red cheeks.

"She is?!" Arenvald asked, completely taken aback. "Wow, you learn something new every day. Bah, just my luck though. I should have guessed as much. So, what's this guy like? Is it serious? Has anything happened?"

"Yes… no… sort of," Alphinaud stuttered, not sure of what he would call what their relationship was, "I really don't think that they have a label for it yet. I know that they both care for the other greatly. But… neither of them seem to know where to go from where they are right now."

"I see," Arenvald sighed before thinking it over some more, "But… if nothing else is happening between them, perhaps I could still try? You know, they're still discussing the kind of new government for Ala Mhigo, so that's going to take everyone's attention for a while. So, maybe I could still try to ask her once it's over?"

Alphinaud wasn't sure how he should feel for that, he was just about to confess that he was the one who was with Claire when he felt the stones beneath him start to shake. There was a distinctive roar just below them that caused the weakened structure to tremble… and before he could comprehend what was about to happen, the floor gave way from below.

With a terrified cry he tumbled downwards with Arenvald—thankfully reaching their landing with a relatively short distance. Still, the distance was enough for him to unable to land properly and pain was shooting up his spine as he landed hard on his backside. Meanwhile, Arenvald was lying flat on his face next to him, moaning slightly.

"Oh Bugger it," he heard Arenvald hissed under his breath as Alphinaud stood up, his legs numb and shaking as he watched as the dust and some leftover debris clattered down around them.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly as the other spit out a mouthful of dust, pushing himself up as well.

"Aye, aye. Everything's still attached," Arenvald let out a forced chuckle before getting up. Just as the dust began to settle around them they heard a slight snicker and they looked up at once to see that Claire was waiting for them with a bright smile that seemed to light up the entire room.

"Ah… It seems both our paths led here, very good," Alphinaud said in relief to see her well. Why had he been suddenly so worried for he well-being when he knew full well that she had been through much worse in more dire situations? Perhaps it had been the combination of strange creatures and dark passageways that led to who knows where had taken a greater toll on him than he wanted to admit.

He had come over to the platform that she stood on and she reached out a hand to help pull him up with her. He felt her pull him upright like she was merely pulling up a sack of popotoes before he came to stand with her; barely paying attention to the gold and jewels that they were currently standing in.

"We spent altogether too much time fleeing fiends horrid and numerous. How fared you?" Alphinaud focused his attention on Claire first, wanting to make sure that she was in one piece before focusing on the treasure.

She smiled a little wider that made it feel like the sun had come out from behind the clouds before explaining her own journey through this place. Apparently, she had gone through a series of traps and creatures just to make it into the ruins themselves… and yet she still beat them here. And it seemed that the roar of the creature she just described was the same one that tried to kill them before was what brought them crashing through the ceiling like that. So as far as they were all aware of… they had cleared the way of all of the Mad King's cursed kin. Meaning that it would be safe for others to venture down here and collect the treasure without their help.

Arenvald had jumped up onto the platform with them, managing it easily despite his heavy armor and weapons, staring around at the treasure that filled the room.

"Much the same then. 'Twould appear this place is yet inhabited by King Theodric's kin, or what's left of them," Alphinaud said once she was done with her explanation, "The work of terrible magicks, I fear."

While it was terrible what had befallen them, he supposed that this was for the best. At least, they could be allowed to rest in peace instead of haunting these halls for all of time while guarding a treasure that the king no longer had use for.

"Terrible, aye. But their misfortune is our… fortune?" Arenvald offered, gesturing to what lay around them.

"Quite…" Alphinaud said, finally getting a good look around him. He had been prepared for being disappointed, but there was far more than even his wildest imagination could have come up with. There were chests that were overflowing with golden coins, jewelry with gems the size of dodo eggs, golden figurines of lions and griffins sparkled in the low light, golden vases with various designs, crates of the finest of silks and robes… and an enormous painting of a man with wild purple hair that seemed to stand on end.

"By the Twelve, there is even more than I imagined," he whispered in awe. It looked like there was enough to give a tiny portion to every person in Ala Mhigo! More than enough to help the nation get back on its feet!

"Oh, I can't wait to see the look on Lyse's face!" Arenvald cried, beaming wider than ever before, "Thanks for believing in me you two!"

They shared a few more laughs with each other before leaving the drowned city. They were able to carve a back out through the way they took to get down. They found themselves back out in the Ala Mhigan quarters and the bright sunlight burned their eyes when they exited the dark corridors that laid malms below it. They would have to find a way to seal up all the entrances to that place to ensure that the people don't accidently find their way down there.

Then again, considering how long it took for them to get down there, mayhaps they needn't worry over much.

"Arenvald and I forged ahead at the fastest pace we could manage, but I was not surprised to find you waiting for us," Alphinaud said to her, glad to be back in the open air again and away from the smell of mold and rot, "I suppose it serves us right for challenging the Warrior of Light. Next time, we should agree on some manner of handicap…"

"I could go in blindfolded and my hands bound if that helps give you a chance?" she offered with a shrewd grin.

"That's just cruel," he retorted as she grinned even wider.

"Ah, we may have lost, Alphinaud ─ but think of what we found!" Arenvald reminded him with a clap him on the shoulder.

"Quite," Alphinaud nodded scrupulously, "I am still reeling at the sight of that mountain of riches…"

"What, like how you reeled at the sight of that floating specter, you mean?" Arenvald laughed before looking to Claire and added, "You should have heard him scream, Claire!"

"M-Must we dwell on such momentary lapses!?" he demanded in humiliation, wanting to duel him here for that, "We found the mad king's trove, and that is all that matters!"

"All jesting aside, we must tell people the good news," Arenvald grinned, "And I think Lyse should be the first."

"Seconded," Alphinaud declared, his face still red, "There is to be a meeting of representatives from across Ala Mhigo, so she is sure to be in the city. Shall we seek her out?"

With a glare at Arenvald, who smiled back cockily, they began to search the streets for Lyse. They found her quickly enough, already speaking with another Resistance member, before she saw them approach. She gazed at their faces with curiosity, clearly noticing their smug expressions.

"Oh?" Lyse asked, "You three look pleased with yourselves. What've you been up to?"

"I'm glad you asked, Lyse. And I'm pretty sure you're going to like the answer…" Arenvald said, and he was the one who told her—in great detail—about their adventure in the ruins of Skalla. Lyse listened quietly the whole time… though he suspected that it was out of shock of where this was leading up to.

"You're joking…" Lyse gasped, "The mad king's trove!? I thought it was a myth!"

"So did plenty of people," Arenvald agreed, "But they didn't have Claire and Alphinaud in their party. The credit for finding it should really go to them. As for what to do with it all…I vote that it go towards alleviating the suffering of Ala Mhigo's poor."

Despite his enjoyment of poking fun at him, Alphinaud had to admit that Arenvald was truly a humble man with a good heart. He was full glad to count him as a friend, and he nodded in full approval to his suggestion.

"Gods…" Lyse whispered at the mere thought of so much treasure and riches buried just below their feet, "If there's as much as you say…"

"Arenvald did not exaggerate, I assure you," Alphinaud added in as he pulled out the paper that he used to make a map of their way out of the ruins, "We could not hope to carry even a fraction of it out on our own. I have taken the liberty of sketching out a rough map of the ruins ─ if you will assemble a squad of your most trusted freedom fighters, they should be able to follow the route to where the treasure lies."

"Understood," Lyse agreed immediately, "I'll make sure every coin is accounted for, and that goes for the spending of it as well!"

"Thank you," Arenvald said, "Oh, there is one other thing: when the times comes to draw up a plan for distributing the spoils, I would ask that you consult Alphinaud. I don't have a head for details. I'm not…educated. I see that simply handing out sacks of gil won't solve everything, but I couldn't rightly tell you what to do instead."

"Oh, I know the feeling!" Lyse agreed, "I'd welcome any advice you could give us, Alphinaud."

Surprised, but nevertheless pleased that they would look to him, he nodded and promised, "Of course. I shall be at your disposal."

But before he was able to begin coming up with plans as to how best to distribute the money, another member of the Resistance came running up with an anxious expression.

"Commander!" he cried, "We've got a problem!"

"Deep breaths," Lyse said, her good mood fading when she saw him, "Tell me what's happened."

"A mob's gathered outside headquarters, and they've started making demands. You'd best come and see for yourself!" the Resistance member cried before running off. The four of them looked at each other, startled at this, but all began to follow, wondering just what was going on now.

They ran straight through, heading to the building where the Resistance was now using as their new HQ while in the city. At the front entrance, M'naago was doing her best to hold off a group of several dozen angry Ala Mhigans.

"Step back, all of you!" M'naago yelled in warning.

"Like hells we will! We know who you've got in there!" he heard one of the scream out in fury.

"We're not leaving till you hand her over!"

"Bring her out! Bring her out!"

They skidded to a stop, completely at a lost to what caused such anger.

"What's going on!?" Lyse demanded as M'naago ran over to them.

"Someone let slip about Fordola…" she informed them in a whisper, but her voice was still loud enough for a few to hear her.

"It's true then!" a man with tattoos on his face demanded, "The bitch really is in there! I knew it! I bloody knew it! We demand vengeance! Bring her out! Today we butcher the Butcher!"

Understanding rush through his brain when he heard that. These people, probably most who lost friends and family from the Skulls, were out for revenge. With two decades of anger built up inside them, they wanted to find some way to vent it… and when they heard of Fordola…?

"Butcher the…?" Lyse gasped, her eyes wide with shock that they would suggest such a thing, "Come on, you don't mean that. We'd be no better than the imperials! If you'd all just calm down─"

But no one was willing to listen to her.

"Calm down!?" another resident cried with grief ringing out loudly in her voice, "That monster and her thrice-damned Skulls dragged my man from our home and beat him to death in the street!"

"Aye! And my dad!" a man screamed, "That bitch has spilt enough blood to fill a loch!

"We all know her crimes!" the tattooed troublemaker from before demanded, "She's a traitor and a murderer! How many of your Resistance friends have died at her hands, eh? And here you are protecting her!"

It looked like things were going to result in a fight if things didn't calm down. He was already contemplating using some kind of shield or healing spell should violence break out. But thankfully another familiar voice sounded up over the crowd's cries.

"So that's what all the fuss is about…"

General Raubahn appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and was looking on at the crowd calmly, silently demanding attention from where he stood.

"Hearken to me, brothers and sisters of Ala Mhigo!" he cried, getting their attention. The people turned to face him, and Alphinaud saw how their faces lit up with shock and awe at the sight of the Bull of Ala Mhigo standing there. Their angry rants faded to silence as Raubahn looked over them all.

"My friends ─ you are not alone in your anger, your grief, your despair, for it is mine as well!" Raubahn cried out, using that same calm but commanding tone that he used whenever he was encouraging his men to battle onwards, "That gnawing pain in your breast…it is enough to bring an old bull to his knees. But I ask you, brothers and sisters, to think not only of the family and friends who were cut down before your very eyes, but to think also of the ones who were abducted ─ the ones who may yet live! Where were they taken? What became of them? These questions demand answers!"

At his words, Alphinaud looked back to the mob and he could almost see their anger fade as they realized that he was speaking the truth.

"I share your thirst for justice," Raubahn confessed, "For vengeance. But we will gain only fleeting satisfaction if we give in to our base appetites ─ we will never know the truth!"

At that, the people were now filled with a new kind of emotion. Shame. They knew he was right, and they were allowing themselves to act like blood-thirsty animals when they should be focusing more on what was important. Once he saw that, Alphinaud let out a relieved sigh, glad to see that everything was going to end peacefully.

"Now is the time that we, the people of Ala Mhigo, must decide what manner of nation we will build for ourselves, and for generations yet unborn," Raubahn went on, holding up his one hand, "When they look to our example, will they see a people who held fast to their principles, or one who cast them aside when tried? I say to you, it is our responsibility to give these prisoners a fair trial, that they might answer to all of Ala Mhigo! The Garleans called us savages, and I'll be damned if we prove them right!"

There was stunned silence for a moment before the crowd began to applaud Raubahn's impassioned speech, and a new kind of understanding shone on their faces. Well… most of them. There were still a handful who were looking bitter at this, such as the man with the tattoos from before who was so set on killing Fordola.

"I know you're right, I do, but…I can't…" Alphinaud heard him whisper. But he wasn't the only one, for Raubahn seemed to have heard him as well and walked up to him. The man was slight taken aback by his presence, but when he saw Raubahn's kind look, the man looked down in acceptance while the crowd dispersed.

That ended well. Alphinaud didn't want to think about how easily that could have ended badly. For them and the crowd.

"My thanks, Raubahn," Lyse said once the last few stragglers of the crowd returned to their homes, "Listening to their anger, I could feel myself being swept away…"

"'Tis a difficult tide to stem," Raubahn agreed sympathetically, "'Twas that same rage which brought us to our feet, and carried us to victory. But now the war is over, all the unspent fury is being channeled into vengeance."

Alphinaud could see that, he suspected as much. But now wasn't the time for them to be focusing on revenge. They must find a way to help the people channel all that fury into more productive means such as rebuilding their lives.

"Aye, and it's not just here ─ we've reports of mobs forming all over," M'naago confessed as well, "They've been targeting folk known to have cooperated with the Garleans. It starts with insults most often, then someone picks up a stone… Some industrious souls even thought to seek out the graves of Zenos and his officers. It was…grim."

Ah yes… he remembered hearing about that. Apparently, the Alliance had buried Zenos's remains somewhere in the Fringes—and he supposed some may have tried to find it so that they could destroy whatever remains of the former Viceroy. Not that it would do them much good to destroy a dead body.

Lyse folded her arms at this news and was shaking her head.

"I want to build a country where everyone, regardless of race or origin, can live side by side in peace," she said angrily, "But maybe the time isn't right. Maybe people just aren't ready… But that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. The representatives will be here soon, and I'll be damned if I'm going to give up before I've even begun."

"Who are these representatives exactly?" Arenvald asked curiously.

"Oh, village elders, refugee leaders and the like. It wouldn't be right for us to dictate the nation's future on our own, so we've planned a summit of sorts," Lyse answered back, "We've even invited the Ananta and the Qiqirn to participate."

Ah, good. It seems that they have covered all their grounds. Now it would seem that all citizens in Gyr Abania would be given a chance to make their voices heard. He wondered just what kind of government would be best suited for this recovering nation?

"Ala Mhigo stands at a crossroads, and this meeting will decide which path it takes," Raubahn nodded, "The matter of Fordola's sentence cannot be suffered to disrupt proceedings."

"Then let's execute her and be done with it. She herself asked to be put to death," M'naago stated coldly, taking them all by surprise.

"Naago!" Lyse scolded, "I already explained why we wouldn't do that! Sending her to the gallows might satisfy people right now, but where would it end? Should we round up everyone who collaborated? And everyone who didn't resist? There would be no one left! And we'd be no better than Theodoric and Zenos!"

She lowered her head as they all began to think this over. Alphinaud was sure that they were all thinking along the same things that he was.

But is that truly the right thing to do? Should those who supported the Garleans be made to pay some kind of price? Surely the people seem to think so. And if they weren't careful, they could end up easily going down another dark road such as these last two crazed leaders. They couldn't leave the fate of this nation to just one person… monarchy in this country must be put to an end and focus most on the people and what they need the most. But just what did they need? No one seemed to have an answer to that… not even the people.

"Begging your pardon, but…might I be allowed to speak with Fordola?" Arenvald asked, surprising them all by the request, "Only, I caught a glimpse of her past. A moment of it, anyway ─ during the fight. She's done terrible things, aye…unforgivable things… But…in some ways, she's a victim of the circumstances in which she was born. And that's something I can understand…"

Alphinaud raised his eyebrows at that, wondering what he saw that made him think that way? He remembered when he told them that he had vision when the Skulls attached him… that was when Krile was taken from them. But what was this vision that made him question this? He wanted to ask, but he wasn't sure how willing that Arenvald was to reveal anything.

Lyse thought it over before nodding, saying to them, "All right. Speak with the prison guard when you're ready, and I'll come and join you. I want to talk to her too."

"I'll return to my other duties, then ─ we've barely begun to investigate the facility where they gave Fordola her powers," Raubahn informed them, "Be fairly warned, friends: she will test you. Don't let your emotions color your judgment when she does."

They nodded to Raubahn as he left, leaving the rest of them to speak with the prison guard and passing through. Lyse led them down the hallway, heading down to the basement level to where there were a few cells set up. Most of them were held with Garlean soldiers that were captured during the battle of Ala Mhigo—awaiting their trials. But Lyse led them over to one in particular, where there were two guards on watch.

They nodded to them before unlocking the cell, allowing them to enter. Fordola was in dirty, worn clothes when they entered, sitting on her bed and staring at the floor. She didn't bother to look up at them at first until they had all entered and she felt their eyes on her.

"Well, well, well… So many visitors," Fordola asked as she slowly looked up at them all with a dead look in her eyes and dry smile, "Come to have a good laugh, have you? Or do you mean to put me out of my misery? To finish what you started? It's about bloody time."

"That's not why we're here, no," Lyse said seriously, "Do you remember what I said? How I promised you you'd live long enough to see us win our freedom? Well, I meant it. And not to mock you, either."

"You're wasting your time," Fordola snapped, looking down at the floor again, "All of this is pointless. There's no reason to keep me alive, and you know it! I killed your men ─ I killed my men! And you know what my only regret is? That I didn't kill you when I had the chance!"

Alphinaud felt anger and annoyance inside him at her cold tone. But it seemed that he wasn't the only one who didn't believe her words.

"That's a lie, and you know it!" Arenvald snapped, voicing what Alphinaud was sure that they were all thinking, "You think we can't tell what you're trying to do? That we're blind? You're a fool, but you're not stupid. You're ruthless. Relentless. You'd give up anything and everything to get what you want. You didn't come this far, climbing over the bodies of your own brothers and sisters, just to piss it all away! I see you, Fordola! I see you for what you are!"

Alphinaud suddenly felt Claire stagger slightly next to him and he looked to her in worry when he saw her giving her head a little shake… a sad look in her eyes. He was about to ask what was wrong when Arenvald went on speaking, not noticing anything.

"So, you mean to play the part one last time, eh?" Arenvald demanded, "The unrepentant traitor, whose death will serve to unite the people?"

"Shut up," Fordola warned, just shaking her head and still refusing to look up at him.

"You had every chance to kill yourself," Arenvald went on relentlessly. "Fashion a noose from your clothes, wait for the guards to leave you alone long enough to slip it over your neck─"

But her anger suddenly surged to such a point that Fordola stood up, glaring at him fiercely as she yelled, "I said shut up!"

"But then it would all have been for nothing, wouldn't it?" Arenvald claimed, not even pausing to take a breath, "Whatever it takes. That's what you said."

Whatever it took? Was he talking about the vision he had? Once more he felt that he was missing something important here. He wasn't the only one, for Lyse was also looking a little lost to what he meant… in fact, the only other person who didn't look surprised was Claire… who was looking straight at Fordola.

Fordola glared at him before she suddenly turned her glare over at Claire, also noticing that look on her face. And it seemed that Fordola figured out the reason for that.

"…Been in my head, have you? Had a little peek at my past?" she demanded furiously at her.

The Echo again? Alphinaud looked to Claire, wondering what she meant, but Claire didn't look away—not saying a word. Though that seemed to only cause Forola's outrage to grow.

"And what, a few stolen memories tell you everything you need to know, do they?" she demanded, as if expecting some kind of answer from her where she said that she understood her pain, "Don't you dare patronize me! You don't know a godsdamned thing about the life I've led! The bastards that killed him, the bastards that let it happen ─ my father deserved better! I swore I'd do whatever it took to make them pay!"

Alphinaud had about enough of not understanding and was about to ask what this vision was, but then, he saw Fordola's eyes flash red and she cried out in pain as she staggered back.

"Wait…" Claire commanded as he and Lyse stepped forward, ready to fight if she tried anything. Claire didn't look the least bit surprised by what was going on and stood her ground as they waited. Fordola's hand was up to her head, as if she suddenly had a splitting headache and her breathing grew sharp.

That was when Alphinaud realized he had seen similar motions from Claire whenever the Echo strike at her. They all waited… wondering what Fordola was seeing now.

It was over in less than a minute before Fordola's head snapped up and she spun about to stare at Claire again. But there was something different in the way she was looking at her this time. She no longer held any anger or resentment… her eyes were wide as she stared at her with shock written all over… and perhaps… fear?

"You…y-you…" she finally was able to speak in a choked whisper, "All that power…all that pain… It's too much… Too much for anyone!"

Claire's eyes narrowed only slightly, still silent, at that as Alphinaud looked to her in concern. He looked back and forth between the two women, not sure what they meant. But Fordola was shaking her head, still staring at her without any anger and only confusion and fear.

"The things they've done to you," she went on with a hushed voice, "The lies, the betrayal, the endless fighting…yet there you stand, unbroken. How…? Why…?"

The last two words were spoken in a desperate plea to understand… that much Alphinaud could understand. They were all looking at the Warrior of Light, who remained composed as she observed her, wondering how to give her an answer.

"You know why," she finally answered in a way that clearly said that Fordola should understand, "You saw."

Alphinaud's eyes widened in realization as he understood what happened. Claire had just witnessed some fragment of Fordola's past… and Fordola had seen something of hers all in the span of a few minutes. There was something empathetic in both of their faces as the two observed the other.

At last, Fordola just shut her eyes and looked away again, as if unable to bear the thought of looking at her anymore.

"Damn you…" she said, but it was without all the spite it had been with before, "Damn you all…"

Alphinaud could tell that they weren't going to be getting anything else out of her. Something that Lyse seemed to realize as well.

"You still have time, Fordola," Lyse said, "Think about how you want to spend it." Fordola didn't answer, but she didn't seem to be expecting one as Lyse told the rest of them, "Let's go."

No one else said a word as they exited the cell, leaving Fordola alone in the dark. As they were heading back to the outside, they were pressing Claire for what she saw. She didn't answer for a moment but she grimly explained what made Fordola the way she was. How her parents supported the Garleans and gained citizenship. But that only brought the anger of the Ala Mhigan people on them. One day, their anger grew so great that they beat her father to death with stones while he tried to protect her… while the Garleans watched it happen.

He stared at her as she also explained how she saw how Fordola swore she would earn their respect.

"But fighting was all she knew how to do," Claire finished, "The Garleans thought of her as a savage for being Ala Mhigan… but her own people of Ala Mhigo saw her as a traitor. That was all she ever knew. So is it any surprise that was what she became?"

They were quiet for a time as they tried to figure out wat to say about that.

"I don't know that we solved anything exactly, but we've given Fordola something to think about at least," Lyse said.

"Aye…" Arenvald said as he glanced back at the door with a heavy frown and his forehead wrinkled in thought, "And I've found something new to think about too." He looked to Claire and told her, "I don't know about you, Claire, but the visions only come to me every now and then. From the way Fordola kept wincing, though, I get the feeling she's having them almost all the time. That's a lot of bad memories to deal with…Hmmm… I wonder… Could there be some fundamental difference between one who is born with the Echo and one who has been artificially imbued with it?"

"It seems that way," Claire said simply, not speaking anymore on the subject.

The fact that they could create an artificial Echo was still something that boggled Alphinaud's mind. As far as he knew, the Echo was a gift that was bestowed from the Mother Crystal onto her chosen. He wasn't sure of what to think any more about that until Lyse suggested, "Well, the Immortal Flames have been scouring that research facility ever since the liberation. There's a chance they might have some answers for us. General Aldynn's there overseeing the investigation. Let's go and pay him a visit, shall we?"

That seemed like a good idea, perhaps they had found something by now that could shed some light on the situation. So, they returned to the temple, which was now dubbed the Resonatorium, and entered.

Alphinaud did not miss being in this place, and just looking around made him extremely uneasy as he looked at all the cold metal and magitek that beeped and lit up. Raubahn was standing in the middle of the room, discussion something with one of his Immortal Flames, and he looked up at them as they approached.

"What news?" Raubahn asked, "You spoke with Fordola, I take it?"

"Yes," Lyse confirmed, "As expected, she didn't say very much, but it wasn't a total waste of time. Arenvald noticed something odd about her. He thinks she might be having visions almost constantly, which is not how the Echo normally works. Have you found anything here which might explain why it's so different for her?"

"Hmph," Raubahn said as he thought that news over before acknowledging, "We've been hard-pressed just to organize the research materials, let alone study them. To be frank, I'd welcome the Scions' expert assistance, if you have time to lend a hand."

Alphinaud began looking around, doing his best not to focus on how many bodies were scattered about them as he observed the devices and the scrolls that were set up on tables. He could only thank the gods that he had the fortune to attend the Studium and learn what many of these complicated notes said.

Though none of what he read was good.

He rejoined Raubahn and the others, who contributed what they found out.

"I know little and less of science, so any light you can shed on this facility's operations would be much appreciated," Raubahn said, once they were all together, "Claire, shall we start with you?"

She grimly told them what she observed and what she recently learned. All around them were bodies… every one of the victims having been used for these 'experiments' and the cause of death was just as disturbing as it was horrifying. Hardly any of them had any injuries… instead, they all died from being drained dry of aether. A miserable and painful way to go.

Not only that, the Ironworks had been analyzing the devices, including the metal containers that they found Krile inside. The pod-like devices were created for the purpose of draining said aether of the one inside it. The one that they found Krile in, was different from the others however in that this was fitted with sensors to measure aetheric wave forms.

"Taken in combination with the testimonies of Krile and Thancred, I do begin to see exactly what the imperials were attempting here," Alphinaud said, putting the pieces together and finding this all the more disturbing the more he heard of it, "The enhancement procedure entailed infusing a single candidate with aether siphoned from a multitude of 'supply subjects.' As for the 'master subject' ─ in this case, Krile ─ the patterns of her aetheric activity would provide the model upon which they would artificially engineer the candidate's aura."

"…In other words, they were trying to recreate Krile's Echo?" Lyse asked with a frown and he nodded to confirm his thoughts.

"I believe so ─ which would explain our prisoner's present state," Alphinaud said, trying to look at the bodies around him, "Krile is possessed of an unrivaled ability to hear the whispers of the soul, and it seems probable that the procedure engendered the same acute sensitivity in Fordola."

"The soldiers who guard Fordola…many of them lost friends and family to the Skulls," Lyse added thoughtfully, "And there's a sentry at her door, night and day. If she can't help sensing their thoughts and seeing their past─"

"But you don't just see their past ─ you live it," Arenvald explained, "All the emotions; all the pain. Imagine what it'd do to you. You'd never be the same again."

Ah, that explains it much more to him now. He never experienced the effects of the Echo, and had always wondered what it was like. From what he had seen of Claire though, it wasn't a pleasant experiences. This explains much… not least of all why Arenvald and Claire both seem to understand Fordola's thoughts.

"Indeed," Alphinaud said as he also thought of Ysayle, feeling a familiar pang of sadness just by mentioning her name, "As you may recall, Ysayle was completely transformed by a single glimpse of Hraesvelgr's past. Fordola has been forced to experience the agony of those whose lives she destroyed. The guilt must be unbearable."

Still… how was her version of the Echo so much more… active than one who was blessed with it? What is it that controls the Echo? Why is it that they do not have any control over it and the visions just come to them? No one ever seemed to be able to answer that question and not even when he had asked Claire on occasion about it was she able to give an answer. She had no control over it… the visions would just come to her… seemingly at random… yet always the visions that she needs to see.

But with Fordola… the way that she kept flinching…? Those had to be signs that she was seeing something. He could recall the moment that they entered the tower before Fordola wounded his sister… he saw her hand going up to her head in pain… and immediately afterwards she was aware of Alisaie's style of combat. She had to have had some kind of vision then. He was sure of it.

Yet, there was an unmistakable change in her now. A drastic change from the moment that they entered her cell to leaving. And it had to do with whatever she had seen from Claire's memories. Whatever she saw… nearly brought her to her knees.

If Arenvald was correct and you not just witness ones past… but their emotions and pain…?

"That explains her request to be executed…" Lyse said in understanding, interrupting his thought process.

"Sounds to me like a kind of justice," Raubahn stated with a grim kind of satisfaction, "Regardless, she can suffer on for now. We have more pressing matters to consider. If the results of these experiments have been relayed back to Garlemald, there will be naught to stop the Empire from repeating the trick. They could give the Echo to anyone ─ to an entire legion."

The idea of facing an entire legion of people with the Echo was terrifying. Just thinking back to the first time he fought against those with the Echo—the Warriors of Darkness—were unbelievably powerful.

Still, perhaps it wasn't as simple as they thought though. Alphinaud's eyes glanced back over the remains of those who suffered from the 'experiments' and wondered just how much had to be sacrificed in order to give one such powers? Not only that, they would have to have someone gifted with the Echo to begin with… and if they were forced to see the memories of others so often…? He doubted that many would be able to retain their will to fight.

It was a double-edged sword.

"We must be ready," Raubahn went on, "We must learn all we can of these godsforsaken procedures ─ and Fordola remains our best source of information. She'll not be getting her wish. Not yet."

"Right…" Lyse nodded, and they were all in agreement. As cruel as it was, they needed Fordola to tell them as much as she could. Anything at all could help shed some light on their enemy and help them protect the lands that they worked so hard to keep safe.

"Keep faith, lass," Raubahn reminded Lyse, "If you're to convince others to follow you, you must believe what you're telling them. People will respond to passion ─ but not if it's feigned."

"I understand," Lyse said, her eyes glowing with determination, "Thank you, General. We should leave the Flames to it. Let's go."

They thanked Raubahn, and promised that they would be in contact with him again shortly before they left. As they exited the doors, glad to be back in the open air, he heard Lyse sigh next to him.

"I go looking for answers about the Echo, and end up getting schooled by Raubahn," Lyse said out loud as they exited to the street again, "Yet more evidence that I don't know what I'm doing. It's no wonder people listen to him and not me."

Was she still comparing herself to others? He thought that they had gotten past that point after all they went through. Still, he remained calm as he reminded her, "General Aldynn is a veteran of countless campaigns, Lyse. You cannot compare yourself to a commander of his experience."

"I know," Lyse sighed back, shaking her head, "But I also know that I couldn't have convinced that mob to give up and go home. It makes me realize how much we rely on his authority…and how much I still have to learn."

He supposed that was true. It was a lot of responsibility that Lyse was under these days, and she wouldn't want to rely on Raubahn to help her all the time. Still, this was a bad habit of hers… constantly comparing herself to others and wondering what they would do. He wished that there was something that he could say to help her realize that wasn't the answer to her problems.

"I wonder what he'll do when everything here is settled… I mean, it's his homeland," Arenvald asked, changing the subject, "After going to the trouble of winning it back, might he not want to stay?"

"'Tis a quandary which countless refugees now face: to continue the life they built in Ul'dah, or start again in the land of their birth…" Alphinaud said, already having wondered about that. In all honestly, he expected Raubahn to return to Ul'dah. He was the General of the Immortal Flames after all… and he didn't see him wanting to leave the Sultana's side…? Yet he suspected that there is a part of the Flame General wishing to remain here in Ala Mhigo.

"Claire!" someone cried, "A moment!"

They turned to the sound of the voice, and saw Flame Marshal Pipin there. His appearance took them all aback as he approached them with a serious air about him.

"I am newly returned from Ul'dah, with a message from the sultana," he said, addressing Claire alone, "Her Grace desires an audience with you. She understands that you have responsibilities here, but asks that you visit the palace at your earliest convenience. Well, I must away and attend to other business. Until next time, my friends!"

He saluted, leaving them as quickly as he had come.

"An audience with the sultana!" Alphinaud said in surprise, "Depending on the nature of her consultation, this might be the perfect opportunity to inquire about the General's future plans."

"Yes, we'd all like to know about those, Alphinaud ─ but not everyone's as comfortable interrogating royalty as you," Lyse pointed out, "Take no notice of him, Claire."

She smiled and nodded back, and he could tell that she was already in mind to leave and see what the Sultana wanted. Hopefully, this meeting will turn out better than their last one…? Just thinking about the feast was enough bring him back down a trail of dark memories that panged his soul.

"Well, the question of how to put the mad king's treasures to good use shows no sign of answering itself," Alphinaud said, determined to find something to keep himself busy for the time being, "Shall we be about it, Arenvald?"

"I am at your beck and call!" Arenvald beamed excitedly, already looking forward to returning back to the treasure chamber.

"…And I should be getting back to my own tasks," Lyse added, "I'll organize a squad to head down into the ruins, and then start preparing for the big meeting…" She then looked to Claire and added, "Oh, send Nanamo my regards, Claire!"

"And ours too, if you please," Alphinaud added, silently hoping that everything will be alright this time around, "We shall see you on your return."

Claire nodded, and left with a slight wave of her hand. It wasn't until after she was out of his sights did he remember the conversation that he had with Arenvald before…?

He would have to ask her out before Arenvald is given the chance.

He left with the others, wondering how best to approach this idea—not paying much attention to the cold blue eyes that were watching from the shadows of the buildings around them… never once taking their eyes off Claire as she left the city. The figure ran his hand over the hilt of his katana as he watched her retreating back… as if fighting the urge to draw his sword.

(And so 4.3 has finally come out! I had planned on finishing this chapter before the release date, but I'm glad that I did wait. For I was given a few new ideas! To be honest, I did not see that ending coming… but I loved it. Now if only Square Enix would stop making the Warrior of Light a spectator here! The Warrior is supposed to be the star! The main character! So why is it that we feel like we're just there watching the game? Please, Square Enix, focus a little more on our character and give us some good storyline. I wasn't too impressed with it until we were near the end with Alphinaud.)