Chapter 52: Savior Beoulve

His helmet still atop, his face was not seen. "Run," Ramza whispered.

But the Lionsguard did not heed his wisdom. Lady Agrias moved free from the chocobo's saddle and settled into a defensive line with her dames.

Lord Brother Zalbaag was the same as he ever was but with a deep scowl at the sight before him. His hand did not yet rest on his sword. That would change faster than the blink of an eye should they draw his ire.

"Lady Oaks," Zalbaag addressed her, "may I ask what you're doing?"

"Following the wishes of my lady."

The Knight Devout shook his head at the answer. "Your Highness, I am gladdened to see you safe, but if you would indulge my question as to why you look to pass into Duke Goltanna's territories?" 'Twas clear the answer, and yet, he had to ask.

"I am."

"That would start a war, Your Highness," his tone was calm. "You would be a tool he uses to force a claim on the throne. Come, you will be safe and secure in Eagrose."

"Eagrose would have me dead," she said. "Knights of the Order of the Northern Sky have attacked us."

Zalbaag considered the matter and slowly, he nodded. "Your Highness I believe you've been led astray. No knight was given such a command."

"I saw them with my own eyes."

"You saw men garbed as such, that I believe," he said. "But, as Lady Oaks would attest, sight was in Dorter that imitations of yourself and Lionsguard sped northwards."

Part of the Church's decoys, but now it may seal their plot's doom. Zalbaag seemed to be alone for what little it mattered. Facing an army was a more welcoming prospect.

The two central women of the conversation exchanged worried and knowing looks. Her Highness answered, "No, I am confident they were."

Zalbaag sighed at the refusal of his offer. "So be it, pray forgive this act but I must take you by force."

"You would dare point your sword at royalty?" An outraged Agrias shouted. Lionsguard drew their mythril swords and set their shields.

"I aim to correct a mistake, as I have always done even under Her Lord Father's service." Zalbaag's right hand slowly drifted to his sword and pulled it free. A pale, slightly lavender color blade with black runes etched along its blade. He had no need for armor, powerful runeblade would do. "Turn back now, lest Duke Goltanna plunge Ivalice into war. If safety remains your concern you'll have my watchful eye, I assure you."

As once he assured Ramza and Delita of Teitra's safety? Nay.

But this was Zalbaag Beoulve. The famed Savior of Ivalice. Not even Barbaneth Beoulve was praised so lofty by King Denamda IV.

"We cannot best him," Ramza hissed as low he could. "We must away."

"He is outnumbered," said Annabelle.

Crossing swords with Lord Brother as enemy was not something he wanted even now. His mind recalled every lesson with blades and tool of war that Zalbaag taught. Every fight he had, every duel he invoked. He'd never lost to anyone save Lord Father and even then he won more than many a match.

"Ensuring Her Highness's safety is our primary concern," he replied. Princess Ovelia could force a crossing with Boco, but the rest of them did not have that luxury.

"I'll allow you no more time to whisper," interrupted Zalbaag. "Prepare."

There was no more time to think. Sound of thunder broke as Zalbaag struck like lightning. Runeblade striking Agrias's shield full force and near splinting in in twain in one blow.

The other Lionsguard moved. Stab from Lavian and an overhead slash from Alicia aimed at him whilst Annabelle moved round to strike the flank.

Zalbaag pulled away, his sword glowing a deep crimson not drawn of blood as he did.

This was how he fought. How he always did as an Ark Knight. Crush his opponent's means of combat. Break their armor, break their spirit and sap their strength of arms and legs with magicks. A peerless duelist.

Even here, five-against-one as he was, he moved to only ever fight one at a time. His footsteps were quick and decisive in carrying him precisely enough to dodge the Lionsguard attacks while singling one out.

His blade lashed with the flexibility of the wind and he cut deep into Annabelle's side. Lavian moved forward to cover but Zalbaag rushed her first. His sword cleaved through her mythril blade like it was a twig and struck her shoulder. He drew away twice more, with the second a blink before shard of faux-ice missed his position.

Never before had Ramza seen anyone evade the higher arts of knighthood and yet Zalbaag doing so was no more surprise.

"You cannot win this," said Zalbaag already readying himself once more.

This was what he'd spent so long training against at Mullonde. He'd bested Alfredo, he could best Zalbaag.

The Lionsguard readied themselves as well. Lavian ready to brawl should it come to it.

Lionsguard in front of him, and Her Highness behind. He was in a position of many opportunities.

Support would be the best role. Chanting white magick he bestowed a shell upon the knight dames. 'Twould ward off the most dangerous effects of Zalbaag's blade of ruin and, with some fair fortune, negate it entirely.

The Lionsguard with swords still clutched made their move — line advanced. Lavian left back. Ramza retrieved sword from Boco's pouch and hastily moved to press it into the unarmed Lionsguard's hand.

Zalbaag once more matched blades with the Lionsguard. His older brother took to the defensive this time, his sword better at protection than any shield in the fight. No mythril found purchase on Beoulve flesh whilst his blade glowed blue, red and purple as he sapped away power from his foewomen.

Even as he built fatigue upon the Lionsguard once so often did the sap fail. While his eyes remained focus on the Lionsguard, Zalbaag's mind surely narrowed the source of protection down to the concealed Ramza.

So he'd add more. Layer upon layer sent protection from physical arms just in time to prevent another cut upon Annabelle's legs.

Surprise did not last long enough for the ladies to make use of it as Zalbaag situated himself with defensive distance once more. A battle of attrition no longer favored him so considerably. If Ramza could place regen on the knights then they could retreat in good order.

He'd make learning the "float" spell his next priority. 'Twould make a situation such as this simpler.

Zalbaag had enough of the reprieve. He clasped his sword with both hands before engaging once more. His renewed offense made his prior look like sparks compared to the speed and fury he displayed now.

'Twas only now that Ramza only fathomed how he'd only ever seen Zalbaag fight for sport. Lord Brother that fought now was a man apart.

Shield and sword combined could not stop but a single swing of the knight devout. Mythril defensive and offensive was shattered even through its magickal protection. The storm of Zalbaag's attacks was so fierce he forced four Lionsguard on the defensive by himself.

Another brutally powerful slash sent Annabelle flying backwards without sword or shield. Ramza quickly loosed a simple cure spell on her but her face was more red in rage than pain. Zalbaag's offense broke Lavian's blade next, leaving only Agrias with sword, but no shield.

There had to be something else he could accomplish.

Zalbaag stepped back, his grip slacking back to one hand. "Do not force my hand any more," said Zalbaag. "We need not fight, or spread this tale. Come, Your Highness."

"No," she still refused, "your Lord Brother is the one who stands accused of the attempt on my life."

"Preposterous," Zalbaag's voice rose with the word. "Dycedarg plays his hand at intrigue, yes, but he's a man of just and honor as any Beoulve is. He's no conspirator, I assure you. Who spreads such slander?"

Her Highness looked now at Ramza. "'Tis he, he who makes these claims."

"Well, what evidence have you of my Lord Brother's duplicity? I expect none."

He was not confident to disguise his voice. He winced away from answering, offering but a shake of his head to Her Highness's disappointment.

"You put favor in a man who does not even speak? Who remains hidden behind that mask rather than approach?" The Lionsguard helmets were open-faced… "I think this spy of Duke Goltanna misleads you, Highness."

The doubt he'd cast found hook in Her Highness's mind. Colors flown false and men with closed helmets. No one could be trusted.

Everything he'd worked toward destroyed by Zalbaag's words once more.

No. "No," said Ramza. But with his voice twisted as close to Delita's as he might find. Flat and hollow with an edge of roughness to it. Hope was to fool Zalbaag but Lord Brother brooked curious ear. And looks of distrust at distorted voice from Lionsguard and their charge.

"He speaks then." Did he play along? Did he harbor suspicions? "You charge House Beoulve with a slander I'll not stand for. Will you?"

"I charge it with the crimes it commits," Ramza-as-Delita replied. "Or does the name Tietra fall from your mind as quickly as the order you gave felled her?" He used Tietra. Like some disposable tool rather than the person she was.

But it was the one weapon that saw the Knight Devout unsettled. "Whom are you!?" His complacency disturbed with a shout!

"Herial's revenge."

It stung worse than a bee's sting.

Zalbaag returned both hands to his sword. The silke-like countenance gracing him hardened to mythril. "So be it."

The elder Beoulve moved past the Lionsguard as if he was wind. Their sword and struggle found no purchase and he was within striking distance of Ramza in three blink's time.

'Twas not enough to come up with a tactic to defeat an ark knight.

Ramza took clumsy step backwards to evade the oncoming blow aimed at him. A slash, rose from below with intent of knocking clear his helmet.

It struck, prying upwards the platinum enclosure and sword's tip dug into his face like a quill.

He fell, literally, fell back on his hindquarters. The helmet was pushed forth enough to reveal a young man's chin clear of many whiskers but his identity remained his.

Zalbaag's sword came about from overhead. If a delicate slash could not than a harsh one would have to do.

His assault was halted mid-swing by shards of Judgement Blade besieging him. Ones that struck Ramza as well, but even half the armor he wore was more protection than the fine clothes Zalbaag wore.

Lord Brother took steps aside as he bled lightly. Blade a crimson glow as Ramza felt his arms bracing him forward lose strength and nearly collapse on him. Strengthsap and Judgment Blade a powerful combination to wound a man.

Zalbaag's new position focus kept the Lionsguard, Her Highness and Ramza in view once more. There would be no second successful strike of Judgement Blade.

The Lionsguard rallied around him now. At the center of the formation he was now perfectly placed to catch all five of them in white magick.

Zalbaag readied his blade, but gave enough time for Ramza to finish casting cura. The energizing light refilling most of what his own ally's strike had done.

"We must catch him unawares," said Agrias.

Prying the sword from Zalbaag's grasp might be possible. Or landing a powerful jump. Aurablast from hidden point? Summoning magicks could tell friend from foe, even if he knew only moogle and shiva. Thundaja would work had he not expanded himself already. It took all his reserves to cast such powerful magick.

There was no solution he could give before Zalbaag rejoined the fray. Lady Agrias kept her blade safe from shattering as she fought with him. The other Lionsguard distracted him as best they could. Thrown stones, clumps of dirt. Shouts and feigned attempts at attack.

But no matter how the dames situated themselves they could not surround him. Could not break that diamond-hard focus he had.

Lady Agrias did her best but she was wearing down. More and more Zalbaag's runeblade caught cut on her arm or leg and one strong hit to her side.

Ramza did his best to mend with quick casts of cure but he was running low even after so much low-level magicks. The rough journeys and his own fatigue had left him paltry.

They held a few potions in reserve…

It wasn't raining this time, but it would still hurt.

He had to hurry before Agrias's blade broke. Ramza turned within and dipped hand into the puddle of magick left within. He scooped it forward and with chant molded it into what he needed it to be.

Ramza rushed into the melee, spell chanting in hushed tones. He swung at Zalbaag to relieve pressure on Agrias.

The Lionsguard gave space as Zalbaag turned his ire to his younger brother. Without hesitation, the elder Beoulve swung once more at the helmet. A sideways slash. Ramza ducked it, yet it still cleaved free a chunk of platinum.

Zalbaag rode the slash, twisted his body 'round and struck like a whirlwind.

A favorite move of his. Same as Alfredo.

Left just enough time for Ramza to finish.

"Thunder," he grunted out.

The simple bolt of lightning struck himself first, as the focus. Twisting himself as the lightning rod once more. But close as he was, and the stance he'd taken, Zalbaag could not attempt.

The bolt struck him, unbalanced him enough for Ramza to managed a better evade even as both Beoulves grunted from the pain.

And following he was another fall of Judgement Blade. The mass-scale of faux-ice damaged both Beoulves and once more the younger endured it the better.

The younger fell to knee, breathless and pained but barely just alive.

Zalbaag's clothes were torn and ragged now. Streaked with red blood and black singe.

Still he thrust onwards a runeblade's pale purple tip at fallen Ramza's forehead.

Shield of mythril did intercept. Lavian his protector as Alicia and Annabelle simply rushed the standing Beoulve. Sheer weight of momentum behind their bodies to counter the ark knight's own. His constant retreats and precise positioning a strength they could yet exploit. The injuries he'd sustained and but the small cuts he'd intentionally inflicted were tipping the scales.

The Lionsguard made grab at Zalbaag's sword hand and whilst he dealt with that, the other made a tackle at his feet. He shifted his right away and kicked as Alicia dove at him but she grabbed on and held his foot like a vice.

Zalbaag stabbed downwards to force her off but quick-moving Lavian brought her shield forth once more. Annabelle latched unto his wrist with both her hands and shoulder-checked him.

In spite of the unsteady stance, Zalbaag stood strong. His left punch struck Annabelle square in her face. Twice and a third time weakened her enough for Zalbaag to break free from her grip. His sword glowed blue. Annabelle's retreat was slowed, like she was moving through water.

Lavian moved to protect her comrade. Mythril shield not as hardened as the resolve of the Lionsguard and it shattered against the next thrust of the ark knight. Point sticking through the bracer of the dame but just as swiftly pulled free. He'd not lose his blade so easy.

No further interruptions and he swung his blade to clear Alicia from his feet. The Lionsguard fell back from their foeman.

Once more, Judgement Blade deliver its damage.

But this time Zalbaag did not move after.

He stood still as a statue. The aftereffects of the Holy Sword art had rendered him stopped.

"We must away!" Ramza said hastily.

"If he would be Her Highness's enemy best end him now," countered Agrias. The Lionsguard agreed with their captain.

That would be best. So why had he rejected it so swiftly? He'd tossed those familial bonds a year ago.

Lord Brother.

'Twas second nature his entire life. The kind Lord Brother who offered encouraging word at every success. The strong Lord Brother who always embodied chivalry.

The traitor Lord Brother who killed Tietra.

With Zalbaag gone so would the Northern Sky's greatest champion, their best general. Tietra would be one step closer to avenged. 'Twould be best for all.

Save Alma.

What would befall his sister should Dycedarg hold complete sway over her life? Alma was a cleric and more of her studies were dictated by Zalbaag than the eldest Beoulve. Without him as a buffer there was no limit to what Dycedarg might do.

"Imprison him, and we may yet bargain with the White Lion." 'Twas all he could offer.

Lionsguard one and all turned their attention from the immobilized man to him.

A mistake.

With a flash Zalbaag struck. Even at their best the Lionsguard could not compare and even a slight distraction proved disaster.

Alicia was struck first to her stomach and sent to the ground. Lavian and turned half step before Zalbaag bashed her with sword's flat and sent her as well. Annabelle, already struck harshly in the face managed her guard up to protect herself. Zalbaag swept under with an uppercut to her chin, followed with an elbow and finally cracked the top of her head with the pommel. She fell to the ground without bracing herself.

Agrias, near alone now, challenged him once more to swordplay. Her mythril blade shining—shattered in seconds.

This did not deter her and she jabbed at him. The edge of the blade did not scare her. But mayhap one thing did. She shouted:

"Run!"

Her Highness did not. She watched in horror as the last of her knights was thrown violently to the ground.

Whether Zalbaag had shrugged off the spell or merely acted as if he was under its effects didn't matter. 'Twas but Beoulves left standing now. Ramza just a dullard who'd barely aided the Lionsguard who fought and bled so bravely.

He put his guard up as Zalbaag rushed in once more. The Knight Devout's swings and feints effortlessly breaking and sliding through any attempts to stop him. He was but an infant before an adult. He could not win.

He still tried.

When Ramza attempted a punch Zalbaag simply sidestepped and jammed his pommel into Ramza's side. He gritted his teeth and attempted an elbow but Zalbaag simply ducked and sent Ramza flying with an uppercut. Any interest his brother had in removing the helmet had faded in wake of just smacking him around.

Ramza pushed himself off his back but Zalbaag was already walking forward. So confident, so resolute. So unsuspecting. A straight line straight to him. No glance spared by the ark knight for Her Highness being onlooker or the Lionsguard struggling to their feat.

Within he scraped together every bit of defiance he might muster. Form it into energy and loose an aurablast in that defenseless face. Whirling form of martial spirit in his fist and he punched.

Nothing.

No strike of invisible force to brother's face. Just a sputter like campflame dying. Everything he had left was worth naught.

Strength spent he fell once more upon his back. Brother's runeblade came to his throat right after.

"Stop this please!"

Her Highness's plea that stopped brother from prying free the black platinum helm.

"Have you enough of this now, Your Highness?" said Zalbaag. "Far worse would occur to many more a people should you continue such a foolish trek east."

"You have made your point," Her Highness resigned.

"Good. You've saved a great deal many lives today, Your Highness."

"Answer me one thing," she asked. "Who is Tietra?"

Question once more caught Zalbaag off-guard. "Nobody you should be concerned with, Your Highness."

Distraction enough for Ramza to swat away the blade and lunge once more.

Aided by the Lionsguard on their feet and once more engaging. Four women taking hold of every limb of the ark knight. Ramza clasped the front of Zalbaag's tunic. (Fingers touching something hard at an untorn cloth near the chest.)

"Heed your lady's words and cease this!"

Their grips only tightened. Lady Agrias wrapped her arms round his throat. She'd strangle him if need be.

"So be it."

Zalbaag's struggles ceased.

But his lips moved. Silent casting—and fast. One last damnable word slipped through his lips. "Ramuh."

The walls that made the world were torn in twain as Zalbaag's summon reached fruition. Form of old man with beard white and long to his feet appeared in sky. The lightning esper: Ramuh. Its staff rose high as it loosed bolts of lightning. Shots as percise as a peak marksmen. Every single lightning bolt impacted Lionsguard and Ramza leaving not a single crack on the summoner.

They fell, one by one. No more fight remained as Ramuh vanished above.

One last grasp did Ramza have on Zalbaag's clothing but even that faltered as what he grasped plied apart. The hard object, a stone — one called zodiac!

Ramza's eyes went wide as he desperately grasped the freefalling auracite. His fingers found their target and brought it in tight.

Zalbaag realized what occurred and lunged for it — but Ramza tossed stone away.

Towards Ovelia.

Zalbaag moved towards it, forgetting everyone he'd bested to get this far. Ramza naught but a small bump against his brother's shins.

Her Highness looked down at the orange gemstone. Ramza could not even spit out a word and the Lionsguards' silence indicated much the same. Zalbaag's march but five steps away.

Boco bent his neck down and snapped up the auracite in his beak. (Did he think it some treat?) The chocobo's neck craned back up and Her Highness reached round and pried it free.

"Hold!"

And Zalbaag did petrify.

"If you would see this stone again you will depart!"

"Your Highness…"

"Do not come one step closer!" She held the stone high. "I will drown it in the Fusse River and you shall never see the auracite again"

She knew it was auracite!? Yes, with a monastery upbringing she would be well-familiar with the zodiac stones but she sounded irrefutably confident in her assertion.

"Do not do this, Your Highness," said Zalbaag, his voice sharper than the edge of his runeblade. "I cannot permit you to seek Duke Goltanna's court." He did not consider her bold enough to do as she claimed.

"And what shall you dare do?"

"What I must." His grip on the runeblade tightened. Reason had lost focus so pure violence would do. "You shall come with me to Eagrose. And you've much past the point of coming willingly."

Her Highness looked him straight in the eyes. Uncertainty, and fear, came to hers. Zalbaag was deadly serious and she knew it.

On chocobo she could yet outrun him but by herself she lacked any such ways to continue on.

Whatever thoughts running through her head culminated in her tossing the auracite south. The shining stone drawing Zalbaag's attention as it landed upon the riverbank. The Knight Devout jolted into a full run at the legendary artefact as Her Highness kicked Boco into a run.

Zalbaag clear thought it a distraction. A deception he could follow quickly and need not worry about for now. He did not stray a twist of his head towards Her Highness.

When he did, was to see the chocobo mending wounds with its innate beastial skill. Zalbaag's face scowling at underestimating Her Highness's ingenuity.

Alicia was the odd women out of Boco's choco cure remedy and Annabelle too wounded to stand even after. 'Twas the bearest of patchworks that let Ramza, Agrias and Lavian return to their feet but was enough.

Zalbaag would be drawing low on his own magicks. Ramuh, along with all his saps, would be drier than a river in drought. There was naught but normal blade left to him. As normal as his skill was.

Everyone readied themselves once more for a vicious melee. The Princess's defenders raised tired arms and Zalbaag pointed his sword at the crown once more. They readied themselves for his next brutal onslaught.

But instead he whistled.

Momentary confusion overtook them before eyes went to search. Could well be signal for reinforcements.

But not the one they expected.

"Chocobo!" Lavian cried out as the yellow bird mount came rushing from their flanks. They all moved aside as it galloped through their ranks towards its master, Zalbaag.

The ark knight leapt astride with practiced ease and kicked it right back into a charge at their line. Combat was difficult enough with him on foot. Astride a mount, might well be impossible.

But so were the situations he surrounded himself with. Ramza bent his knees. He'd drag his brother back down to earth.

Ramza jumped at him. At the blade leveled for a thrust.

Zalbaag broke left.

He spun his mount around but his momentum was broken, he could not level the full force of the charge now. He raised his sword high for his swing but such an obvious move was easy for them to dodge. The scattered defenders rallied — and that was when they realized their mistake.

Zalbaag's display had been to separate them deliberately. He had a clear path straight to Her Highness!

Shouts went to her to run—escape. She ran. Boco ran.

Zalbaag overtook them.

She struggled as he dragged her off. 'Twas not enough. With only one arm he overpowered the fragile princess and forced her on his saddle. She screamed once more for help. To defy being kidnapped yet again. Zalbaag kept her in place. His chocobo was kickede to gallop as everyone ran after him. But he and they were lost to the horizon as Delita and Ramza had done just before.

They'd lost. Completely and utterly.


Author's Notes: This took way too long to write.

SquareRootofNine: Thank you for your Review. It was fun to explore how differently Delita handle it than Ramza.

Asahar4: Thank you for your Review. Well the helmet was already answered so... The cameo characters I do have an interest in bringing in. Balthier would be simple. Luso I have an idea for. Cloud is... more difficult.

Thank you new Favorite and new Follow. Thank you all for reading and have a good day.