Chapter Twenty Nine
Balfonheim
Three days later
Balfonheim Port
It had been three days since their escape from Archedes and Kellis had kept his word in taking them to a safe place. As soon as they got out of the Draklor Laboratories the assassin took them to the west section of the city where he was to rendezvous with a ship. Vaan had been surprised to see that Kellis had connections with other pirates but he didn't argue about it. This was their quickest way out of the city and they took it without question.
After a few hours flight they reached the port of Balfonheim, home to the pirates across Ivalice. Balthier and Fran often frequented the port to see their other comrades and to restock on supplies so they knew their way around. However Kellis had some surprising news for them.
Seeing as how they saved his life the assassin told them who employed him to kill the doctor. Apparently Reddas, the leader of the pirate factions, had hired Kellis to kill Cid and to retrieve any objects in his possession. Vaan had to wonder if Reddas knew about the Shard but he would wait until he met the man in question.
Once they landed at the docks Ashe, Vossler, Basch and Llyud stepped out onto a wooden docking area by the ocean where the smell of the sea was indeed strong. There were people from all the races across Ivalice gathered here and the dock was thriving with life. Ashe had never seen a city like this one before. Wherever she looked there were no flags or soldiers to state where the city belonged to. Neither the Empire nor Ashe's former kingdom owned this place.
Like Bhujerba this place was free from the influence of either side. But Ashe remembered that her uncle was leading up the resistance movement from his mansion on the sky-city. She often thought about him and what he was doing right now. Vossler and Basch both took in the clean air and they quickly followed after Kellis who promised to take them to see Reddas.
Llyud for his part was frowning openly at this strange and obnoxious brunet. Kellis had openly flirted with him despite his role as a potential killer to the doctor but that didn't stop the man from wriggling against the Aegyl at any chance he got. But the very worst part of the entire thing was that despite only knowing the man for merely hours Llyud found him attractive and funny. The winged man had never felt like this before for anybody he met.
He kept blushing and his belly felt like butterflies had taken up residence in there. Kellis pissed him off but made him hot all over in a good way. He made a mental note to ask Vaan about it once they got rested up and talked to Reddas. Kellis took them to a place resting at the far end of a large pier. Here several men and women were guarding the entrance but stepped aside once Kellis arrived. He had sent the pirates who rescued him back in Archedes with a message for Reddas.
They were escorted into the building and into what could only be a throne room for a pirate. There was a large chair and a long table laden with maps and letters. A single flag pole rested in the centre of the room and at the far end stood Reddas himself. He was a tall imposing figure of a man with two swords strapped to his back. He wore attire that could only be suited for a pirate captain while his white hair contrasted sharply with his dark skin.
Even in his middle age he was a handsome man and he smirked when he saw the gathered group. Kellis bowed showing his respect while Balthier rolled his eyes and stepped forward to greet the man he met only a few times. He respected Reddas so if he wanted Cid dead then it was for a very good reason.
"And what brings a fallen princess, an angel, two pirates, a knight and a relic to my door?" Reddas seemed must amused by his guests.
"Nice to see you again Reddas." Balthier crossed his arms. "You're walking in some strange circles nowadays I see."
"No stranger than your own. But we have much to discuss." Reddas motioned for them to sit. "I've heard of your exploits around Ivalice."
"How do you know so much?" Ashe asked with suspicion.
"As the leader of this little motley group I need to have eyes and ears everywhere." Reddas replied as he sat at the head of the table. "So how shall we proceed?"
"The doctor escaped thanks to his companion." Kellis reported to him. "Something that called itself Venat."
"What do you know about the Shards?" Vaan got to the point. He didn't have time to beat about the bush here. He was already on edge as it was.
"The pieces of power? I have heard them called Nethicite." Reddas answered. So this boy was after the ancient stones?
"We need to find Cid." Vaan said sharply. "He has the last one."
"He mentioned the Ancient City Giruvegan." Kellis spoke up again. "But I thought that place was a myth."
"No, it is very real." Fran said firmly. "My people have long protected it, we have told stories of its existence to our young. Giruvegan is the source of all Mist in the world."
"The source of the Mist?" Ashe breathed out. Did she finally have a way to take back the energy of the Shards?
"Whatever his reasons it can't be good if Cid wants to go to that city." Balthier looked at his companions. "We need to find him."
"Then I'm coming with you." Kellis spoke up earning surprised looks from the group. "I haven't fulfilled my terms of the contract. Until I find Cid I'm staying with you guys."
"You can't come with us!" Llyud yelled out causing everyone to look at him. He could practically feel the heat rising up across his face. "I-I mean..."
"Don't worry about me cutie." Kellis winked at him. "I can handle myself."
"But how do we even get into the city?" Ashe asked after Llyud's face exploded into a deep red colour.
"My people speak of a way through the Feywood. We must pass through the wood until we reach a place dense with the Mist. The door to Giruvegan is hidden with powerful magicks that will not fall unless you are proven worthy." Fran told the others.
"Sounds like fun." Basch remarked.
"The Feywood is near your own village isn't it Fran?" Vossler asked the viera.
"That is correct." She nodded.
"Then we have our destination. Let's rest up then we'll head out tomorrow." Balthier stood up. "I trust my ship is in good condition?"
"The ship is here?" Vaan raised an eyebrow.
"One of the rules of being a Sky Pirate, always think ahead." Balthier smirked at the blond.
"The vessel is fine." Reddas promised. He stood up and walked back to glance out across the vast ocean. "But what of the Shards and what of Vaan here? I could hardly believe the reports I was getting from Kellis here."
"Pardon?" Llyud looked at the sheepish brunet.
"Yeah about that...hehe, funny story actually." Kellis scratched his head.
"Kellis is an exceptional ally. He has been keeping tabs on you since that little incident with the Ifrit back in Rabanastre." Reddas answered without turning around.
"So you're a spy now?" Llyud couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What next? Will you sprout wings and announce you're the lovechild of seeq and an unfortunate cactaur?"
"Ok, that image right there...ewww!!" Vaan visible shuddered.
"I think we better rest up." Basch pulled Llyud away before the red head got really nasty. "We'll speak more tomorrow."
Llyud was still fuming when he was pulled away from a stunned looking Kellis. So the man was a killer for hire and a spy who also happened to be keeping abs of them across Ivalice? It all sounded so farfetched but he had to be realistic. The party had left quite the trail in their adventure across the landscape so it was only natural that someone would be able to track them down. There was indeed a lot more to Kellis that Llyud once thought when they first met.
But right now he needed some sleep and a good meal. Vaan went off somewhere with Balthier in tow while Basch and Vossler were checking out the various stalls in town. Ashe stayed behind to talk further with Reddas while Fran claimed that she would head back to the airship.
"Cutie!" Llyud turned around in surprise when he saw Kellis running towards him. "You got a minute?"
"What do you want?" the red head crossed his arms defensively.
"Everyone else has gone their separate ways. Do you want some company?" Kellis inquired with a mischievous grin.
"You want to take me around the city?" Llyud was narrowing his eyes now. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing!" Kellis brought up his hands. "I, I just wanted to talk to you a little. You looked pretty pissed when you found out about my profession."
"About that..." Llyud felt like a total fool now. "I didn't mean to react like that. It wasn't my place to make judgements. I don't even know you right?"
"It's ok." Kellis smiled brightly. "So can I show you around then?"
"I suppose so." Llyud murmured as a blush painted his cheeks.
Kellis looked pleased with the answer he received and he took Llyud's wrist in a gentle grip. As soon as his bare skin touched Llyud's the red winged man felt hot tendrils curl throughout his belly and his vision turned hazy. He gasped out and lurched forward but Kellis managed to grab him before he collapsed. He heard Kellis call his name but all he could feel where those warm hands and the way his skin was heating up.
A flurry of lights exploded behind his eyes. The blood was rushing to his head in waves and when realization kicked in Llyud could only gape in total shock. He had heard of this feeling and sensation among his own kind. Because of their short life spans the Aegyl were born with the ability to sense their soul mates, the one they would spend the rest of their life with.
The Fates had a sick sense of humour if they deemed Kellis was his perfect match.
"Are you ok?" the assassin asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Llyud regained his composure. "It's just been a long few days."
"Do you wanna head back to the inn?" Kellis asked.
Llyud nodded his head quickly. He needed time to think and process this information. He had found his mate but it was something he never even dreamt of. Llyud had always been an outsider even among the Aegyl but for his chosen to be a human was...it was too cruel. His short life span wouldn't allow for a long time together, not enough time at all. As he glanced at Kellis who was chatting about some new type of fish dinner that was being served at the inn Llyud could only gulp down the painful feeling engulfing his heart.
Maybe it would be best if he never said anything to Kellis or even his friends about this. But it still didn't erase the facts about that primal surge that had coursed through him. As he followed Kellis back to the inn only one thing went through Llyud's mind.
What am I going to do?
Come evening Basch was exiting the inn and was now walking around Balfonheim to help clear his thoughts about everything that had happened recently. His arm was aching again and he felt sick all the time but he was getting used to it by now. Vossler was worried yet he didn't voice those feelings anymore and Basch was grateful for it. He could feel his body giving out with each passing day but the power gathering within his arm was also building up ready to explode outwards.
And then there was a strange thing Venat had said about him back in the Imperial City. The creature had called him a poison. Maybe it was nothing but Basch wouldn't forget what the Occuria had said about him anytime soon. He wondered what they would find once they reached Giruvegan but at least Vaan would be able to destroy the Shards completely.
Basch winced when another shockwave of pain laced through his mutated arm. He didn't want to give up, not when they were so close to stopping the Occuria from taking control of Ivalice. But more than that he finally had a reason to exist for himself. Just thinking about Vossler made his blood go hot and a smile graced his lips. He didn't want to let him down, not if there was the smallest chance of a cure. He knew Vaan would help him if there was a way.
"Can't sleep?" a gentle voice asked.
"Neither can you." Basch smirked at Vaan. "It's hard to believe you're almost to the end of your mission."
"Yeah..." Vaan whispered quietly. "I never thought it would turn out like this. When Balthier found me in the palace and after what I did to you, I didn't think we'd get this far."
"And what about the truth, about Messiah?" Basch inquired.
"Messiah is a name." Vaan replied with a glow appearing in his eyes. "He doesn't exist anymore Basch. And besides when all this is over I'm thinking of taking up pirating for a career."
"Don't tell me you've been corrupted by Balthier." Basch sighed dramatically.
"Well he can be very persuasive." Vaan defended with a sly grin.
"Oh I bet he can." Basch laughed at the blush staining Vaan's cheeks. "You really like him don't you?"
"He's always been there, he woke me up and gave me back my life. It's not out of obligation...I just like who he is." Vaan admitted. Solaris had been much the same in fact. he had loved him so much and then came the Occuria and their war...
"Does he know?" Basch asked softly.
"That's the problem..." Vaan looked up at the starlit sky. "After I died and when you brought me back he wants me to hold onto at least one Shard. I can't do that and he knows it but still..."
"I see." Basch muttered and in a way he could understand.
"It'll end once we reach the city tomorrow." Vaan now looked cheerful. "Once the Shards are destroyed it'll be easier to confront the Occuria. then I'll look for a way to extract the piece from your body."
"You can do that?" Basch didn't want to get his hopes up, not when everything was still so fragile.
"I've remembered a lot of things but Giruvegan has a lot of secrets, most of them can destroy Nethicite. if you have any chance at being normal again Basch it's in that place." Vaan seemed so adamant about this.
"Thank you." and the taller blond meant it with everything he was.
"Walk back with me?" Vaan asked with a smile.
"Sure."
Both blonds left for the inn, their minds a little lighter with the burdens they both faced. Things would become clearer once they reached Giruvegan. Even if he wasn't cured Basch would be able to die happy knowing that Ivalice was safe from the Occuria. Everything would be worth it once those Shards were destroyed forever.
His arm was hurting again but Basch paid it no mind.
It really wasn't bothering him anymore.
Hi again my lovelies.
So poor Llyud is in quite the pickle isn't he? Will he tell the others about his mate? Will Kellis ever learn the truth? And is there a cure for Basch in the ancient city?
Tune in next time to find out when they reach Giruvegan.
Much love from Glass!!!
