A Change of Plans
Mt. Bur-Omisace was absolutely beautiful. We had gained the favour of the Viera and they allowed us to cross the Wood and we trekked the vast Paramina Rift with refugees seeking safety at the holy mountain from the coming war. I couldn't blame them. If I was in their position I would have done the same. There was no safer place than the home of the Kiltias.
We were here for a different reason. We were here to grant Ashe her throne and seek peace with the Empire. With that done there would be no need for refugees trudging through the snow, fearing for their lives at the prospect of needless war. On that note our journey through the Rift was less than pleasant; sometimes the snow was the least of our worries. Balthier and Larsa had gotten into a debate about the Empire and how Larsa was certain the Emperor would choose peace over short war. Balthier was less than inclined to believe such things for reasons we were not privy to. Grace had been concocting strange things each night she was on watch with her Alchemy, giving us a formula that warmed our bodies during the journey which we took as a blessing: The Rift was bitterly cold this time of the year and Bur-Omisace would only be colder.
We had arrived early in the morning, ascending the mountain to reach the temple that resided at the top. We had all been quiet during this leg of the journey, only now Grace was rallying tales of her Spira.
"We climbed a mountain like this," She began not long after we started the ascent. "An icy cold mountain called Gagazet, protected by the Ronso Tribe."
"The Ronso? Oh like that..." Vaan trailed off, not remembering the name of Grace's companion.
"Kimarhi," She told him. "But yeah, they protected the mountain. We were already considered heretics and they were going to refuse us passage. Yuna's will to save Spira was too strong to waver and they could see that. We climbed the mountain to reach the city that lay beyond," She paused and thought to herself. "For Yuna's Pilgrimage, it was to be the last hurdle before attaining her goal."
"And did she achieve it?" Ashe asked. She was probably hoping this mountain would be the last hurdle for her.
"It wasn't," Grace answered her. "But we kept going. We kept going to achieve our goal. Even though it wasn't on the other side of the mountain we reached our goal eventually."
"I don't think I ever climbed any mountains on my previous travels," Lucifer mused. "Deserts and salt lakes, yes, but not mountains. Maybe I did and just don't remember, ah well."
Larsa went ahead of us to inform the Kiltias of our presence and they would inform the Gran Kiltias. We had to wait outside the doors for a brief time before they allowed us in. I must say it was warmer inside the temple. It was not extravagant like I expected it to be. It was simplistic, yet elegant. We approached the Gran Kiltias, who stood alone at the end of hall, his eyes closed, his expression sombre. We remained silent for a time, waiting politely for him to acknowledge us.
"Is he sleeping?"
"Vaan!" I hissed quietly at his question.
"No child," A voice answered calmly, echoing in the halls. "I do not sleep. I dream. For reality and illusion are a duality. Two parts of a whole."
"Anastatis," Ashe stepped forward. "I am Ashelia-"
"Lay down your words," The Gran Kiltias interrupted gently. The whole place seemed so calm and serene. I felt at ease here. "Ashelia, daughter of Raminas, I have dreamt your dream. Who better to rule as Queen of Dalmasca than she would wields the Dawn Shard? Your dream of a kingdom restored is known to me."
"Gran Kiltias," Larsa said. "Then give us your blessing. Grant Lady Ashe her-"
"I don't suppose this is something you could reconsider?" We turned to see a Rozarrian man with a female servant and a man, who appeared to be a guard. He wore grey trousers and black boots, a white, slightly open shirt and navy blue coat with it. He had a Rozarrian model gun with him. He didn't look really old but his hair was short and dark grey and he had dark eyes, dark grey that was almost black and I noticed markings on his face. Two dots under his right eye that seemed to sparkle slightly but I wasn't sure if that was my eyes playing tricks. He seemed familiar, as if I had seen him before, but I could not place. The other man I definitely recognised.
"Who's that?" Grace asked.
"Al-Cid Margrace," I answered. "He is part of the Rozarrian royal family. He is not first in line for the throne but he is very popular with the Rozarrian public who are not interested in warring with Archadia. He's been trying to find peaceful resolutions to the situation," He was introducing himself to Ashe in the extravagant Rozarrian fashion, complete with flirting. Grace furrowed her brow. "If you ever go to Rozarria, don't worry that's common."
"I'll keep that in mind," Grace said. I noticed Al Cid has his attention turned to me now. I bowed in respect.
"It is a honour to meet you, Lord Margrace," I said to him. "I am Reina Flores of the now fallen House Flores."
"Ah yes. Alonso Flores the scholar," He nodded. "You look more like the women of House Alba. I thought you couldn't have been one of them since the entire House was decimated twenty years ago."
"My father told me that I had the crest of House Alba," I nodded. "But I was raised by House Flores and that is who I am, even if the name rings hollow." It was not a secret that was kept from me. I knew I my mother and father found me fives years after the fall of House Alba and that I had their crest on my person. They adopted me and raised me as their own.
"Al-Cid, if we could get to the matter at hand," His guard said.
"In Archadia, Larsa. In Rozarria, Al-Cid," Anastasis spoke. "They dream not of war. Should empire join with empire, then a new path for Ivalice will open in our time." Al-Cid scoffed at the words.
"Gran Kiltias you speak much of dreams," He said. "But in the real world war is upon us."
"Your Grace I was told my coming here would prevent this war," Ashe said. "I was to assume my father's throne and claim the restoration of Dalmasca, treat with Empire for peace and persuade the Resistance to stay their hand!" She was right, this was supposed to stop the war. "I did not come all this way to be asked to reconsider."
"A word from you and the Resistance would stop cold and Rozarria's pretext for joining the war scattered off to the four winds," Al-Cid agreed. "This is what we had hope, but alas, circumstances change. A full two years have passed since your reported death and if news were to spread that you were still alive I fear it would worsen our situation."
"Because I am powerless to help?" Ashe asked with offence.
"Nay. It has little to do with you."
"Then what?" Larsa challenged. "If Lady Ashe were to extend her hand in friendship then perhaps I could persuade the Emperor. His Excellency will resolve things peacefully-"
"The Emperor Gramis is no more," Al-Cid spoke. "His life was taken." Larsa stood stunned at the information given to him.
"What? When did this happen?" I asked.
"Quite recently," The guard spoke up. "It was Vayne who took his own father's life. He had dispersed Achardia's Senate. Only a step in his plans for war, but a vital one. He now holds absolute power over the Empire."
"Let us say you approach the Empire with a peaceful solution," Al-Cid continued. "The late Emperor Gramis would have lent you his ear, that much is certain. However Vayne would call you an imposter to tempt the Resistance into battle. He wants this war and, as our ill luck would have it, the man is a military genius," The servant girl handed Al-Cid a piece of paper. "According to our latest reports: The Western Armada prepares itself for battle... under Vayne's command no less. The newly formed Twelfth Fleet has already been deployed. The Imperial First Fleet stands ready and will be under way as the Odin's refit is complete and Second Kerwon Expeditionary Force is being drafted in to replace the missing Eighth so there will be no gaps. The largest force ever seen!"
"Then the Nethicite is the coup de grace..." Ashe said worriedly but quickly made her resolve. "Gran Kiltias, Your Grace. I came to speak to you of my ascension. Let us put that aside. Should I become Queen now, powerless as I am, I can do nothing. With a greater power at my disposal, perhaps then."
"Is it the Nethicite of which you dream?" The Gran Kiltias asked.
"I requite something far greater," Ashe said. The Gran Kiltias awoke and opened his eyes.
"To wield power against power," He said. "Truly the words of a Hume child."
"I am descended from the Dynast King himself."
"Indeed. Then you have one choice," Anastasis said. "Seek you the other power Raithwall left." Another power that wasn't Nethicite? Curious.
"Does such a thing exist?" Ashe asked, surprised at the news herself.
"Journey across the Paramina Rift to the Stilshrine of Miriam," Anastasis advised. "There rests a gift that Raithwall entrusted to the Gran Kiltias of his time. The Sword of Kings... can cut through Nethicite," A sword that can destroy Nethicite? This was perfect! Just what we needed. "Why Raithwall would entrust the power to destroy Nethicite, the instrument of his greatness, to another and not his own progeny... I cannot say. Go forth, Ashelia B'Nargin, and take up your sword or your dream will remain but a dream."
Larsa stayed with the Gran Kiltias, shocked from the news of his father's death, along with Al-Cid. However before we left Al-Cid spoke to us briefly.
"I am to assume you do not know the way to the Stilshrine?" He asked us, Ashe in particular. "Across the Paramina Rift, yes, but one way leads to the Feywood... a long way from where you intend to go."
"And do you know the way?" Grace asked.
"Nay, but my companion does," He answered. "Allow Janos to take you to the Stilshrine. Time is not on our side and he knows the quickest routes through the Rift."
"The aid is greatly appreciated," Ashe nodded. Janos, the guard who was with Al-Cid, was now our guide to the Nethicite Destroyer. I looked forward to seeing this sword and I hoped it still had the power to destroy the stones.