Paine stepped off the Lunar Whale to find the idyllic scene of a forming cottage amongst a grassland, lit by the last rays of sun. A dozen people watched the Whale while others sparred and built up the cottage.
Shinra and Baralai approached first, both looking worse for wear. Bhunivelze's power marred their skin and their old clothes were replaced with what had to be the local fashion, if plain versions of it. Tunics, belts, boots… like she just stepped into a child's tale from Gaia IX.
Balthier and Fran went to meet those at the cottage. Meanwhile, Shinra made the first move and barreled into Rikku, who grunted on impact. The kid sniffed and said nothing. Rikku hugged him back.
And then Shinra punched her in the gut and stepped away. "This is your fault!"
Rikku blinked at him. "Explain?"
"You let them take Omega from me! And now I'm a bad guy!"
Paine turned to Baralai while the two fought. Baralai stood stiff and even awkward. He suppressed a hiccup before clearing his throat and looking away.
"You look like hell," Paine said.
"I should say the same to you."
Yevon, he dragged his words like he didn't catch a wink of sleep. Not that it was much of a difference from how she knew him on Spira, but him speaking honestly was new.
Baralai shifted. It felt more like she just caught him stealing from the local bakery. He said, "You didn't have to leave Spira."
"Because you've got things handled here?"
"Yes."
Paine scoffed, the force of it surprising her. "Yeah, and I'm a sworn priestess."
His expression turned hard for a moment, betrayed a flash of offense, and he rubbed at his temples. "I can't leave yet."
"Why not?"
"Because I have things I need to do here."
"Good, because there's no way you're coming back with us."
Baralai snapped his head up. "What?"
Rikku joined Paine, Shinra at her heels. "We should get home while we can," she said. "I don't wanna get stuck here."
"No." Paine folded her arms. "Baralai needs rest."
"He can sleep on the ship."
"He can sleep here. Meanwhile, I'm going to go kill the son of a bitch that caused all this."
Rikku's jaw dropped. "You can't do that!"
Baralai stepped forward but didn't get a word in before Paine put up a hand and said, "I can, and I will. There's no way I'm going to let Bhunivelze come back and start this over again in a couple of years."
"It's not that easy," Baralai said.
"I didn't say it would be," Paine said. "I said I'll do it."
"You won't."
"Why not?""
"This isn't a withered shell of a god or a man-made machine. This isn't some vengeful spirit from a thousand years ago. This is an active and powerful god that's arranged for all of our deaths!" Baralai breathed hard and adjusted his stance.
"You've had him removed?" Paine asked.
"That's beside the point!" Baralai gestured to the cottage. "We have a real plan here, we have good people ready to face the situation and I still doubt it'll make a difference! There's nothing a single one of us can do by ourselves against this thing and I'm not going to watch you kill yourself for nothing!"
Paine took a deep breath and smothered the part of her that wanted to agree with him. "What's your plan, then?"
"We cooperate. We work with Zero, and we work with the Council, and we attack Bhunivelze together. You can join us. You can work with us. But you will not go off on your own!"
Good thing he was too hungover to think. "… Fine."
He breathed heavy and she wondered how he stood with such an unsteadiness to his stance.
"Stop balking," Paine said. "You look like you should sit down."
He took her arm, the sudden motion of it surprising her, and said, "And you need your shards removed."
"Shards?"
"His… Bhunivelze's influence. He may have taken most of it when he left, but there was something left behind. You can see it in the eyes as a slight glow and sometimes in a faint outline of a brand on the back—"
Paine shoved his arm away. "And how do you do that?"
"It's…" Baralai hesitated. "I take them from you, and then I give them to Terra or one of the Cie that visit."
"And why are you trusting these people?"
He looked her in the eyes, expression intent. "You haven't lived here for the past months that I have. Believe me—we can trust them."
He offered his hand again and Paine reluctantly took it. Their scarred hands almost matched and she traced them to where they disappeared inside his sleeve. His skin felt warm—almost feverish—against hers and she wondered when the last time was that he felt well. She also remembered something too similar when they recovered him and Nooj from Shuyin. Only that was nothing compared to this.
She shoved that memory aside and focused on holding shards back. Just enough that Baralai wouldn't notice because she needed this.
And like a rush of wind from the east, energy fled her. She shivered at a sudden chill and Baralai took her shoulder to steady her. His stance strengthened and she didn't realize how tired she was until he finished and pulled his hand away whilst keeping the other out for her to rest against.
Paine forced herself to stand without him. Found no words at the odd interaction.
"I'm sorry." Baralai looked away. "If you kept it, it would eventually destroy you."
She remembered to breathe. Rikku muttered something under her breath and guided Shinra away.
"I've… we've all struggled," Baralai said, each word forced out like he had no air in him. "I forgot how long I had him in me, but—"
"Years." Paine took his hand again and held it up against hers. "He only held me for some months and the damage slowed over time. The stretch required for your marks to expand like this is impossible without years. But how are you not any older?"
He hesitated and looked at her hand against his. "I don't know. It's hard to understand much of anything in Bhunivelze's nature and I spent so long with his brain merged to mine."
"I'll say." Paine pulled away and started walking after Rikku. "It's like talking to a politician sometimes."
Baralai struggled to keep up. "That's low."
"A year ago, you would have hit lower. That's why we're going to kill this thing when we find it."
He didn't respond to that. Maybe he didn't know how.
At the cottage, Rikku and Shinra sat down to eat with some of the other travelers. Inside smelled like stewed meat and bread. Baralai stayed outside to speak with some fancy lady and Paine watched with a faint sting of regret.
She didn't have long to dwell on it though, because some hotshot in tan leather greeted her with a tip of his overly large hat. He was armed with a rifle on his on back.
"Nice to meet'cha," he said. "You also new around here?"
She found his countenance in perfect accordance with the rest of the fakers back on Spira. "What's it to you?"
"Just looking for advice." The man flashed a smile. "Doesn't everyone love to give that out?"
"Not me."
"Then consider it a favor."
"Uh huh."
"You look the same as the people here. Why is that?"
She forced a long breath and looked him in the eye. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
He didn't look convinced. "It is if you're connected to the people that ruined my life."
"I'm not. The thing that ruined me did."
"Name's Irvine." He held out a gloved hand and she accepted it. "Maybe we can work something out."
"Paine."
"Planning to stick around long?"
She shook her head and watched Shinra shove at Rikku, who shoved back and about knocked him over. "I've got an appointment with an old friend," she said.
"I know a thing or two about old friends."
"Not this kind, sounds like."
"Maybe not. Would you like company?"
She scoffed. "I don't need help."
"If it helps in the fight against the thing that's screwing with everyone, then I'm all about making it go faster."
"I don't want fast."
He bounced his head from one side to the other. "Making it hurt isn't my specialty."
"I didn't think so." Paine looked to where Baralai and the lady spoke. Wondered if she could sneak him along somehow and give him the chance to get his own revenge for once.
Then she reminded herself that she couldn't expect anyone else to get this job done—she had to do it herself.
Baralai's conversation with the regal lady took a turn in body language, with the lady folding her arms and Baralai taking a step back. She jabbed a finger toward him and though Paine couldn't make out most of the words, Baralai did that thing with his eyes that he did when genuinely upset.
Twitch of the left, then in the right. He opened his mouth to protest, but the lady cut him off with a swish of the hand. Raised her voice enough for Paine to hear, "You don't trust me and I understand that. But I can't work with you if you won't speak honestly."
Baralai spoke too quietly still and Paine couldn't help the old instinct to find cover and wait. But this wasn't Spira anymore and Baralai survived this long without her watching his back. How, she didn't know, but he stood there and breathed air, so she held herself back from running in and throwing that lady to the ground.
"Okay, I understand." The lady spun on her heel and strode Paine's way. Paine didn't make way for her and the lady cast her a steely look on passing.
Paine turned her attention to Baralai, who didn't move. She went and joined him. "Looks like that went well."
"Hilda has never been one to give heed to necessity when idealism sits on the table."
"Trying to pull some of your gritty nonsense? That's never gone over well with most people, if you don't recall."
"I don't wish for any more bloodshed than is unavoidable. If I can convince her to see that, then perhaps she'll understand and we can work toward a compromise. But she cannot see beyond her realm of familiarity"
"Doesn't look like we should let it keep on tonight." People outside argued with the same lady that spoke with Baralai.
"You can't go," said one purple girl. "We need you here, Hilda!"
"The tension's made for more than discomfort," said one scarred man. "I see the wisdom in separating herself from us."
Another said, "But there's gotta be a better time for it!"
Paine said, "Looks like a bit of a mess you've got here."
"Thanks, I didn't realize." Baralai turned to the lady outside. "Hilda, you're leaving?"
"Didn't I say so?" She put a hand on her hip. "As soon as Maria's ready, we'll make for our world on Gaia II and you'll be free of me."
"Beg pardon," said one woman in a tough long coat before shoving past the throng. "I'll not have you all make me regret eating."
The scarred man got up with her. "I'll follow."
Baralai allowed them to pass before saying, "We need you here."
"You seem to handle yourself perfectly fine without my help. You have the answers, don't you? Perhaps it's time you learned to keep a people together with your own work instead of someone else's."
"You're running away."
"I'm making a stand and refusing to play as another pawn in your game."
"So, you'll bow out to prove a point and abandon the people that you know need you?"
"I have others that need me on my world—I can't be in two places at once and I've stayed here too long already."
"I can't help with this," said a sandy-haired kid that made to leave.
"Maybe we should learn to," said a girl in his same accent. She took his arm and forced him to stay.
An old man at the back stood up. "Let's all take deep breaths, m'kay? Let the food hit before we start talking about running off and splitting sides and all that nonsense. Heck, let's start a fire out front and relax—you know, take a load off before—"
"I'm not here to debate," Hilda said.
The old man said, "Please, take a seat with the rest of us. You don't have to speak."
Hilda reluctantly found a spot to stand that wasn't squished between two people and Baralai shot Paine an odd look. She gave him a hand gesture they once used to remind each other to pay attention.
"Doesn't it concern anyone else?" a pink-haired girl asked. "That our only two appointed leaders are former tools of Bhunivelze?"
"And you're one to talk?" asked Shinra. Rikku smacked him upside the head, but he didn't react.
A tall, buff dude said, "Seems a large percentage that got taken, so it would be picky to only work with those that haven't."
"I wouldn't want the position," the pink-haired girl said. "Because I don't trust myself any more than I trust those others that have had this thing in their heads."
That started up a bout of argument from around the table among a couple people and Rikku. Paine turned her attention to those that hung back from the conversation, which included a larger portion than those that argued.
A slight girl in dark attire stretched up to whisper something to the buff dude and he scowled at whatever it was.
Off in the corner, Irvine kept his eyes on the floor and the tip of his thumb on his mouth. The sandy kids fidgeted and kept glancing about the room. And then there was Shinra who turned back to the food before him and polished off the remains.
A knock at the door and Baralai opened it to Balthier and Fran, who drew up short at the gathering.
"I'll say," Balthier quipped, "I didn't expect everyone to hole up in here. You've got a perfectly fine sky out here and you'll waste away indoors?"
"Balthier!" the sandy guy jumped to his feet. "When did you leave Ivalice?"
"Shortly after you, Vaan. Didn't Larsa tell you?"
"He didn't," said the sandy girl. "Fran, how've you been?"
Paine let them all go and felt glad for the rush of cool air from outside. She barely noticed the rise in temperature from all the bodies crammed in here.
"Take over for me," she said to Baralai before making her way toward Irvine. Squeezing between bodies raised the hair on the back of her head.
Irvine didn't appear to register her approach and she cleared her throat. That got him to look up. "Howdy."
"You haven't been here long," Paine said.
"Just got here yesterday."
"And yet you're already showing signs of preferring death to spending another moment in this place."
"… What makes you say that?"
"I won't bore you with the list, but maybe I feel similar. Wanna get out of here?"
"And go where?"
"Wherever that trash god went. I'm here for revenge, not mindless bickering."
Irvine's eyes flickered between her and the table. "How?"
Paine felt at the shards left inside her, though she knew it wouldn't work the same as when Bhunivelze held her captive. "I have my ways. But decide fast."
He glanced between her and the exit. "I'm in."
"Then follow my lead." Paine found Hilda. "You want to leave, but do you have a way off-planet?"
The lady looked down at Paine with suspicion. "What business is it of yours?"
"I can get you where you need to go, but you'll owe me something in return."
"I don't make deals with unsavory types."
"I'm not here for flattery." Paine looked at the purple lady that was one of the only people to give them a second glance—she knew that face. "Maria. Is she the one you're supposed to leave with?"
"How is that relevant?"
"Look, I'm leaving with or without you. Do you want to go or not?"
Hilda gave an extended sigh and looked away. "If it's my only option."
By this point, Baralai caught on that Paine was planning something going by that serious look of his. Yevon, did she just kill his puppy? Couldn't give him a chance to talk to her until she left, then.
After everyone agreed to leave quietly, Paine waited until someone pulled Baralai outside before going for the river. Hilda, Maria, and Irvine following provided some cushioning of conversation that set Paine barely at ease.
"You still have your shards?" Hilda asked once they paused by the bank.
Paine took her arm and Irvine's while he offered a hand to Maria. "It re."
"Wait!" A lady in a green mage's dress rushed to catch them and Paine wondered where she was during the debate. "Are you leaving?"
"Leonora," Irvine said. "Wanna come?"
"Please!" Leonora gulped down breaths once she caught up. "I want to find Palom!"
"Lend me the sight of your home?" Paine asked Hilda.
"You don't know it?"
"I only learned Maria's— Oh. Got it."
Irvine froze up. "Wait, Selphie—!"
They warped away from Blue Terra.
"They just left," Vaan said. "Are they supposed to do that?"
Penelo put her hands out to the fire lit by Cid and let it warm her against the chill of the spring evening. "Hilda's been anxious to leave for a while."
"That's better, isn't it?" Rikku asked. "She just wanted to make trouble."
"Did not," Iris said.
Cid harrumphed. "Not much good in dwelling in it now. Hilda's choices are her own, I'm afraid, and she's likely ruled longer and better than any of us."
"I resent that," Lenna said.
Firion paced about the fire, brow knit in thought. Shinra left to retire, and Setzer and Faris still lingered who-knew-where. Penelo forgot what it was like to see the two apart.
"We miss something?" Balthier asked. "You all leave and this Hilda just up and vanishes?"
"Not just her," Penelo said. "Looks like Paine left, too, and I don't see Irvine."
Firion said, "Maria, as well."
Fran kept some distance from the group and Penelo's heart twinged to see her so unsteady. Balthier said something about the world carrying a different magic from Ivalice and that affecting her, but Penelo didn't think even the mist back home hurt her like this. It drove her mad, it didn't weigh on her shoulders like some prison shackles.
Ace finally returned with Refia and the two looked about the gathered party at the fire. "Where's Selphie?" Refia asked.
Firion said, "I thought she left with you?"
Rikku shoved her head in her hands and pouted. "Maybe she left us, too."
"Selphie can't warp," Iris said. "Right?"
Rikku scowled. "Neither could Paine."
"Wait," Firion said. "Baralai, did you leave Paine with her shards?"
Refia stepped up to Baralai and slapped a hand on his shoulder. He toppled. "What did we say about you using those things? Come on—give them up."
Baralai steadied himself. "I thought it seemed scarce for how many she would have. I assumed Bhunivelze tore more from her as an early victim."
"Maybe you should have checked twice," Gladio said. "How'd a wimp like you even wind up in your position, huh? How are you supposed to guide these people through an assault, much less a slaughter? I guess that explains why Prompto up and left."
"Prompto didn't leave because of me. You should have known your friend was so worn so thin."
Penelo grabbed Vaan's arm. He looked surprised and said, "What?"
"Looks like they're about to throw down," she whispered. "And I haven't seen Gladio fight yet."
"And?"
Penelo focused on Gladio's eager body language, which heavily contrasted Baralai's reluctance. "It's fun, isn't it?"
"Not unless you're part of it."
The rest gathered at the fire watched as Gladio reached for Baralai, who countered with a swiftness Penelo hadn't seen since a scuffle on Ivalice before they left.
Gladio twitched, annoyed, and studied Baralai. Gladio might be a heavy, but he wasn't an idiot, and Penelo saw it the moment he registered Baralai as a legitimate threat. They barely exchanged blows before Baralai swung about and placed himself behind Gladio before taking him in a strangle hold.
Gladio grunted, lifted him on his back, and threw Baralai to the ground. Baralai recovered himself and betrayed a thrill of excitement in the quirk of his mouth.
Penelo held her breath as they went at it, speed against strength. Something about it sparked a familiarity in her that she assumed forgotten from her time living with her brothers. It lasted seconds before Gladio got the upper hand and Baralai's weakness betrayed him.
Refia cut in. "Guys, this won't help!"
Firion threw himself at Gladio. "We have better things to attend to! It isn't your place to decide the right of things."
Gladio shoved Firion away. "Then whose is it?"
"That of the group," Baralai wheezed. "He's right—we're wasting our time and I'm not fit to lead as I am."
"You're also not fit to give up!" Refia said. "We need to keep it together or we'll lose sight of our goals!"
Ace said, "The burden of leadership mustn't fall to one man alone. Without Hilda, we should appoint a secondary position to assist Baralai if he'll accept continuation of his responsibilities."
"I don't want them."
"Not now, I'm sure. But after we sleep, you'll feel differently."
Gladio slammed a fist into the ground so hard the dirt rumbled. "I don't have time for this bullshit!"
"We'll find Prompto," Iris said. "We've done it once already, so we'll just do it again."
He glared at Firion and Baralai. "Dick around all you want, but it's not going to fix anything if you won't wake up to the mess you've found yourselves in." Then he turned around and left for the city.
"My, my," Balthier said. "If I knew life here would be so exciting, I would have stayed behind on Ivalice."
Baralai said, "We've lost too many people to continue as we've done. We'll consider different options from here on out."
Cid nodded and said, "That's a sound idea. What options are you thinking of, boy?"
"I'm thinking that Ace is also right and we should retire for the night. Anyone that wants space should seek out an inn. Otherwise, we'll set up the floor of the Shack for sleeping."
"I'm okay with cramming in," Refia said with what probably wasn't a deliberate look to Firion.
"I'll just sleep outside," Vaan said. "The air tonight is great for some stargazing."
"You say that every night," Penelo said.
"Hey, guys!" Selphie ran in, breath ragged. "I finally found that—! Why are you all so gloomy? Where's Irvine?"
Ace put a hand on her shoulder. "He's out for now. We'll update you on everything tomorrow."
"Oh." She slumped. "Okay. But we'll have to tell him I didn't find the powder I needed. I hope you guys weren't too hung up on those canister bombs."
