By the time the Strahl entered the Dalmascan airspace, airships were engaged in a battle. Balthier was flying in, and Ashe grabbed the microphone, "Uncle, it is I! I'm crossing to the Bahamut to stop Vayne!" She yelled.
Ondore's voice was heard through it, "What are you saying? You are too rash! Your duties come after the battle is over!"
"If we allow them to destroy us here, there will be no after. You must assist our charge."
"Stop. You must pull back!" There was a bit of silence then, "Stop the Strahl!"
Vaan grabbed the microphone, "Hold it!" Came out Larsa's voice. "I mean, w-wait! This is Larsa Solidor! I'm going in with her! So... we're fine! I got the Princess covered!"
"Larsa Solidor? So you hold him as a hostage?" Ondore asked.
Ashe grabbed the microphone, "No, uncle. He will fight with us against Vayne!"
"Leave it to us!" Vaan yelled into the microphone.
"Understood. Our fate is in your hands." Ondore said once more.
Vaan placed the microphone down, and went to his seat. Penelo looked at him, "'I got the Princess covered'?"
"Larsa'd say that." Vaan defended.
"We're relying on you for fire support. Give them something to think about. We'll pick our moment and make our move!" Balthier spoke. Everyone sat down, and buckled down. The sky-pirate flew his airship through the battle. "Quite the welcome! Careful!"
Fran looked at the radar, "One follows!"
Balthier looked at it, "Ah, you want to dance! The let's dance!" The airship behind them started to fire.
The viera spotted yet another airship that started to fire at them from the front. "A new partner."
"It's not easy being this popular, you know." Balthier cut to the side. The two airships crashed into each other. Balthier made it to Bahamut. It circled around looking for a dock. "There it is." Balthier landed.
Vaan was the first one to the exit, waving at the others, "Come on! Come on!" Soon all of them entered the Bahamut.
Inside it had the Empire's classic colors inside, and not many soldiers were around, perhaps off, dealing with orders of their higher ups. Balthier looked up. "Vayne will be in the fortress's command tower. I saw something of the like on our way in here. Right above our heads."
Ashe looked at Balthier, "We need not fight all the Empire to win. If we can get to Vayne, we can put an end to this war."
"Let's get going then. Find Vayne, wherever he's perched, and knock him off." Vaan said impatiently.
The group made their way through the air fortress. Still there was a lack of soldiers, which was strange, though it didn't matter. It just meant that the fight a head is a bit harder. They were heading their way down a set of stairs when the fortress started to shake. Penelo went to the side, and Vaan held on to her. Ashe grabbed the rail, as did Auda. Basch's hands grabbed Auda. Balthier grabbed a hold of Fran to make sure she was okay.
Everyone then recovered. Ashe was the first to walk down. "The Resistance fights their battle well. We dare not fail them. We dare not falter." Fran spoke.
"Stop worrying. We just have to clean up here, and then Ashe'll be the queen." Vaan reassured.
Penelo looked at Vaan, "It's kind of hard to believe. I can't even imagine trying to rule a whole kingdom."
Basch looked at Ashe, "A queen might 'run away' with the help of a sky pirate looking to raise his bounty." He teased.
"I doubt our queen would need the help of any sky pirates." Balthier spoke.
Ashe looked back. "Do you really think me as strong as all that?"
"Who said anything about strong? You'll make it. You got good friends." Vaan walked down.
Auda nodded her head, "We all believe in you." She walked down with a smile. "Sure you were going to be queen, but now I think you are actually ready to be one."
Soon they reached an elevator to take them to the level they ended to go. Vaan and Penelo went to the controls trying to figure out how to us them. There was a clink behind the group. Fran, Ashe, and Auda turned around. Basch slowly turned as well. "So you have lived."
Gabranth walked forward, "I am Judge Magister." He struggled to stay upright. He was still hurt. "Even in disgrace. My just reward for aiding the Empire that destroyed my homeland."
Basch stepped forward. "Gabranth. Do not blame yourself anymore."
"You confound me, Brother! You failed Landis, you failed Dalmasca... all you were to protect. Yet you still hold on to your honor. How?"
"I had some more important to defend. And defend them I have. How is it that you have survived? Is it not because you defend Lord Larsa?"
Gabranth narrowed his eyes, though no one could really see. "Silence! All was stripped from me! Only hatred for the brother who fled our homeland remains mine. Tell me: why do you forsake that which you must hold most precious?"
"I do as I must, brother. Or is that not answer enough?"
Gabranth went to attack Basch, not liking his answer. "Auda, how could you trust a man such as this?" He asked after Basch blocked.
"Like I should trust you?" Auda went to attack as well. He pushed her back.
He had his sword at Basch. "Futile, Basch! Long have I walked in hatred's company. As long as I can curse your name I shall not be defeated!"
"Then come!" Basch ready his sword. "Wield your hatred and crush me. I welcome it!"
"Basch!" Auda yelled.
Basch ready his mist quickening, mist went over to Gabranth, and Basch did a three punch combo. Auda watched, as Basch attacked. Gabranth then stepped back, he held his sword, not at him but to Auda, "Look, Basch, as your friends and girl die! As they must, for surely you cannot protect them! Know now the despair you have taught me!" He ran to Auda.
Auda blocked him, "Stop trying to prove yourself to Basch." She pushed against her sword, not backing down. "For someone who is hurt that he left, you sure want his attention like a lost little puppy." Gabranth pushed her away, ready to attack her once more, only Basch stepped in the way, defending her. His sword blocked the attack. "Basch…"
Basch pushed Gabranth and attacked. He hit Gabranth in the side. Gabranth was weaker, a sword was dropped. He pointed one at Basch, "Have you your fill of this?"
Basch looked at his brother. "I would ask you the same. Let this end, Noah."
Gabranth fell to his knee. "I've no right to be called by that name."
Basch walked closer to him. "Then live. And reclaim it."
Auda looked at Gabranth, how easy it was to let the anger consume her. She realized that if she doesn't let it go, she would end up like the man in front of her, a man who let anger control him for so long. She didn't want that, she would have to let the anger she had go. The elevator started to rise, and Gabranth hasn't moved since he slumped down. He was knocked out.
"Auda," Basch called out.
Auda turned to him, "Sorry."
Basch shook his head, "We are almost at the top."
She nodded her head, and walked to him. The elevator stopped. Everyone walked out, while Auda gave Gabranth one last look, and took off running. The party ran up the stairs. In the center of the room were Vayne and Larsa. Larsa gave a gasp seeing them.
Vayne looked over at Ashe, "I bid you welcome to my sky fortress, the Bahamut. I must apologize for my delay in welcoming you aboard my ship. Permit me to ask: Who are you? An angel of vengeance? Or perchance a saint of salvation?"
"I am simply myself. No more and no less. And I want only to be free."
"Such a woman is not fit to bear the burden of rule. Weep for Dalmasca, for She is lost. Observe well, Larsa. Watch and mark you the suffering of one who must rule, yet lacks the power." He put his hand in the air.
"No." Larsa pulled out his sword from its sheath, and pointed it at his brother. "No, Brother. I will not. Though I lack your power, I will still persist."
"Bold words, child." Vayne spoke. A fight broke out. Everyone had their mist quickening ready, in which they got his health half way down in one hit. "Your lives are forfeit, and your insurgence with them. Dalmasca will again know order. For good and all, I shall bring your futile attempts at rebellion to an end."
The battle went on. Vayne struggled to stay upright. He gave a gasp, and feel down on his face. "Lord Brother!" Larsa called out. He ran over to him, but the child's body was hit by a lighting spell. He fell to the ground. Penelo gasped. Red mist went around Vayne, the nature of the mist was changing his body. He stood up, his muscles spasms as they grew larger. He was floating.
"Manufacted nethicite!" Ashe yelled.
Above him six flying swords circled around him. His face looked as though as it was decaying. "Behold the power left me by our fallen friend." Gabranth slowly climbed the stairs to the platform. His sword pointed at the party. "Gabranth, you will defend my brother. He will have much need in the hell to follow."
Gabranth pointed his swords at Vayne. "Yes, I will defend Lord Larsa!"
"The hound strays. Treason bears a price."
"One I gladly pay." Gabranth attacked first.
Auda concentrated on fighting the movable swords than Vayne, mostly because the swords were his line of attack.
"Ivalice will know a new Dynast-King, and Man will keep his own history! The Tyranny of the gods is ended! We are their puppets no more! The freedom for which we have longed is at hand!" Vayne sent his swords to the group.
Before Auda could block, Gabranth stepped in the way. "Gabranth?" She asked. He didn't answer her, and he attacked. Auda didn't press anything since they were in battle still. She sent a powerful fire attack at Vayne, keeping her distance.
Gabranth's helmet was destroyed. Vayne started to clutch his shoulder, gasping. Gabranth ran to him to attack. A beam of energy burst from Vayne, protecting him. He sent his flying swords at Gabranth, who was staring at the man. "Even a stray has pride!" Vayne powered up, and knocked Gabranth across the platform. Basch ran to his side. "Here I pay my debt."
"Burn in hell, Gabranth!" Vayne yelled. He sent his swords to Gabranth, and soon enough Larsa stopped them holding a piece of Manufacted nethicite in his hands. Penelo must have healed him. The boy stood in front of the twins. The piece of nethicite broke into shards, and the swords disappeared one by one. Vayne gasped as the nethicite shattered into tiny pieces of light.
During the light show, Vaan picked up Gabranth's sword, and raced towards Vayne, giving a rage full battle cry, and got Vayne in the stomach. The Emperor was sent flying over the edge. Vaan jumped the barrier and dropped the sword. He needed to finish him off. Venat then showed himself to Vaan. Vayne clutched his stomach, walked away out of the area. Venat soon left.
Auda went to Basch and Gabranth. The Judge hasn't changed at all in looks. Auda knelt beside them. Gabranth looked up at Basch. "Basch, tell me. He is a good master?"
"Aye." Basch looked at Auda, "This is our final battle."
Auda nodded her head, "Let's go."
"Auda, I need you to stay here."
"What?" Auda looked defeated, how could he ask that.
"My brother is hurt, I wish for you to look after him." He placed his hand on her shoulder, "Can you do this for me? I trust no other. You and he need to made amends, before you can regret… this is more important than the battle."
"How can…" Auda looked away, "We are partners shouldn't I be there helping you in battle?"
"My heart would not be in the battle if it is worried about my brother. You being here, will ease my heart, and I can fight fully. Please Auda. I shall have no other."
Auda nodded her head. "You better come back."
"Thank you Auda." Basch got up, and walked away, with Penelo who left Larsa.
Larsa went running to Auda and Gabranth. He didn't say anything, but looked at the two. Auda looked at Gabranth, "He still loves you." Auda spoke.
"Auda…" He spoke looking at her, "I am sorry. I took from you after all these years."
Auda looked to the ground. "I… The guy you stabbed after the king, that boy Reks… he was my fiancé. And… I heard you killed Drace too…"
"He was engaged at such a young age?" Gabranth looked away, "A warrior's life is not easy Auda. Those we kill do not leave us, their faces forever burned in our minds. His look of betrayal has not left mine. Drace's face when she died is no different. I had no choice in either case. The boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I needed a witness, no more no less. Doesn't make it less wrong I know." He took a breath, "Drace placed Vayne under arrest and Vayne ordered her death. Drace went peacefully knowing that I will protect Lord Larsa for her. She would rather die at my hands than Bergan's."
Auda looked at him, "Gabranth…"
"That guy, Reks was his name?"
She nodded his head, "We started to date a week after knowing each other. Three years it lasted."
"And now you are dating my brother."
Auda nodded her head once again. "Yeah… he has nightmares, we aren't alone in that front. I have nightmares too, from that night when my father went crazy. Basch doesn't want me to have regrets. He knows them greatly. He regrets leaving Landis, leaving you and your mother alone. He really thought that when he joined the army to fight the Empire, he was protecting you guys, he didn't think that Landis would be taken."
Gabranth looked at her, "Is he good to you?"
Auda nodded her head, "If he wasn't I wouldn't be with him."
"I remember when you were just a kid, and you found out that I was from Landis. Remember all those questions you had?"
Auda smiled softly, "I do. I really enjoyed that." She looked at him, "The day I remember most often is when you helped me with my math when my uncle was gone on a mission. It was the first time I got to see your face. It was nice to have you lower your guard around me."
Larsa couldn't say anything, not at their long awaiting reunion. He grabbed Gabranth's hand. Gabranth looked at him, then at Auda. "Auda, will you look after Lord Larsa?"
Auda looked at Gabranth. "Don't talk as if this is the end for you."
The party came running in. "We did it!" Vaan yelled, "We just gotta end the war."
Basch walked up, and picked up his brother.