The Rescue

Our first objective was to arm ourselves, as I had said to Captain Azelas before we set out. Grace still had a spear that was from the Imperial and Vossler had his own blade that would defend us as we infiltrated the Leviathan. We were warned of the red webs of light that would alert the Imperials to our presence and avoided them as best we could, even if it meant taking the longer routes to get through the Airship.

When we reached the armoury Grace opted to stand outside to keep an eye out for Imperials. There was mostly swords and guns but I picked up a small, thin dagger. There were crossbows but I did not take one. I preferred my bow and arrow and crossbows, while I had some experience in them, were a different weapon entirely. Fully equipped we headed through the Airship.

"Hey, what does the Empire want with that stone?" Grace asked. Was she an idiot? She was there during the conversation.

"They plan to use Her Majesty's birthright as a bargaining chip," Was Vossler's answer. "They will offer Dalmasca to her in exchange for her compliance to the Empire's will."

"That's all?" Grace asked.

"You suspect otherwise?" Vossler questioned.

"Well I've seen plans like these have ulterior motives," Was the blonde's answer. Her explanation of travelling through realms was... interesting yet ridiculous all at once. I was curious at how she said she would stand by her story and how long it would take for her to falter and stop making up stories.

"What could they possibly want other than control?" Vaan asked bitterly.

"Hey just throwing the suggestion out there," Grace answered, walking ahead and knocking out an Imperial with a swift strike to the head. Another Imperial came at us that was swiftly taken care of my Vossler's blade. We kept moving, we needed to escape from this damned place.

Vossler led us to a huge control room, filled with Imperials. They charged at us, blades drawn. Grace blocked the sword strike, pushed the Imperial back and swept him, knocking him down before taking the blade of the spear and impaling his jugular. Balthier fired into an Imperial's chest at close range, delivering a crippling shot that cause the soldier to breathe sharply and fall down, the strength of the shot damaging his armour and chest. Another shot in the same place killed him. I went for an Imperial who was casting Magic at the other end of the room, leaping down the stairs and piercing their heart.

"I've opened the Central Brig Access, where Her Majesty is being held," Vossler spoke. "It is not far but we must make haste." Nodding we went through large doors and followed Vossler to the Princess.

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, Imperials led by Judges were blocking our way. The Judges were our biggest threat so our attention was locked firmly on them. Vaan and I were crowd control, keeping the Imperial soldiers back. Basch and Vossler attacked one of the Judges while Grace, Balthier and Fran took the other. I dodged a sword strike and threw my leg out, kicking the Imperial in the side and knocking them back. When we could we aided the others in felling the Judges. When one had fallen some of the Imperials had fled but we never gave chase, our objective being elsewhere and they were a blockade that needed removing.

Within the cells there were four small cells, each unlocked by a main key that Vossler had taken from the body of one of the Judges. One was empty and another had two Moogles inside, which when freed confirmed that the Imperials had brought the Princess down here. The Princess was in the top right cell by herself, sitting and looking at the floor.

"You are unharmed?" Vossler asked as he approached the Princess. She was surprised at his arrival and stood up hastily, stumbling slightly in the process. Vossler held her arm to support her but she pushed his arm away gently.

"It's nothing. I'll be fine," She assured him before seeing Basch. Her eyes flashing with a seething anger. "You..."

"Come on, come on! Let's go! What are we waiting for? Penelo's still out there!" Vaan exclaimed.

"We should hurry. They won't be long," Balthier added.

"We will talk later," Vossler told the Princess, who nodded in agreement.

"Not to hold anyone back or anything," A voice came from the locked top left cell. "But I'm still under lock and key and would greatly appreciate it if someone would please let me out," Grace took the key from Vossler and unlocked the cell, the dishevelled blonde emerging, using his cane for support and looking around the group, settling his eyes on Basch, Vossler and the Princess after a short time. "Greatly appreciated. Vossler! I understand the Princess' safety comes above all else but does my work mean nothing? I would say I am deeply offended but I'm not really. Well, let us get out of this accursed place, shall we?"

Our group left the prison cells and not long after leaving alarms sounded. No doubt the Imperials who had fled alerted the Judge Magisters to our escape and were going to send more Imperials to stop us. We all drew our weapons, bar the Princess who had been stripped of weaponry. Lucifer's weapon had been concealed in his cane which I had initially believed to be used for support walking. It was a simple and thin sword.

"Majesty, we will cut you a path," Basch spoke, angering the Princess.

"I will not place my trust in the sword of a traitor!" She seethed.

"Do you have a sword?" Grace asked harshly, getting annoyed at the Princess. Her Majesty narrowed her eyes at the woman. "We all want to get out of here alive. Save your grudges for when we're off this damn thing, will you?"

"We are wasting time regardless. Onwards," Lucifer remarked, running ahead with a small limp. Ashe picked up a sword from one of the dead Imperials and rushed ahead with the group.

A seemingly endless wave of Imperials were upon us, causing us to flee. Lucifer claimed that there was a faster route that they had taken he and the Princess were taken down to the prisons. It would take us to the Airships faster as we had to retrace our steps in order to escape. The route was indeed quicker and more linear than the route we had taken to find them both but the Imperials were throwing everything they had at us.

"Penelo?" Running through the corridors Vaan had spotted his friend, who was following the Emperor's son, Larsa. Or Lamont as he had introduced himself to us.

"Vaan!" The girl exclaimed, running to Vaan and embracing him tightly.

"Ghis and Madsen know you have escaped. You must hurry," Larsa informed us and looked to Vossler. "You are Captain Azelas. You will follow me. We must reach the Airships before they do."

"You would let us leave knowing who we are?" The Captain asked, sounding sceptical.

"Matters not, we are being granted an escape," Lucifer answered calmly, peering around for any signs of the guards.

"Lady Ashe. By all rights you ought not even to exist," Larsa spoke to the Princess. "That you an Captain Ronsenburg were made to appear dead is like a hidden thread laid bare. Your actions hereafter will pull at that thread and we will see what it unravels. This is our chance. We must see this through and get to the bottom of it. I believe... 'tis for the good of Dalmasca, and the good of the Empire." The Princess' eyes told very little as she listened to the young boy's words.

"... Very well," She agreed but her voice held distrust and doubt. Larsa then turned to Penelo and handed her his Manufacted Nethicite.

"Penelo, for you," He said as he gave her the gift. "May it bring you good fortune." Penelo gave her thanks and we wasted no more time in heading to a more secure location to await for them.

However, not all goes as planned.