Chapter 5

Everyone in the group was cuffed as soon as they were escorted off the bridge before being led toward a transport ship. They were all silent until they made their way off the transport and onto the deck of the Shiva. It was only then that Vossler decided to speak to Ashe. "When we return to Dalmasca, we can announce that you are alive and well. I will then continue our negotiations with the Empire. Larsa is the key. I believe we should trust him."

Instead of agreeing, Ashe glared at the man next to her. "Who are you to speak of trust?" She then pointedly turned her head and walked faster to join the others.

Anise barely heard his response before he followed. "A son of Dalmasca." If anyone else heard, they ignored him.

However, the group had not made it into the ship when Fran stopped with a groan. She hunched over, and it looked like she was in pain. Penelo stepped forward with concern as she said, "Fran?"

Fran hunched further as she said, "Such heat—the mist, it's burning." Anise would have been worried about the other female if she didn't also feel uncomfortable.

It was unlike anything she had ever experienced—the air was getting thicker, harder to breathe. She almost felt like she was drowning. Though, inexplicably, she also felt more alive than she ever had before. Her skin tingled, and her energy levels shot through the roof.

However, she wasn't given long to contemplate the reasons. One of the guards had gone to where Fran had fallen to her knees. When he tried to force her to stand, she jumped up with a scream and sent the man flying as she ripped her cuffs off.

Penelo's concerned voice again cut through the tension as they all watched Fran go feral on the guards. "What's wrong with her?"

Balthier smirked as he worked his cuffs loose with a pick he had hidden up his sleeve. "I always knew Fran didn't take well to being tied up. I just never knew how much."

Anise rolled her eyes and somehow managed to choke out an irritated response, "Popinjay, now is not the time for your inappropriate commentary."

Balthier chuckled and winked at her as he worked to undo her cuffs as well. "On to pet names now, are we?"

Anise wanted to growl at his attitude, but she couldn't get enough breath to speak. Not that she had much of a chance to. He had already turned to release Ashe as well. Thankfully, Basch had managed to get loose and helped Vaan and Penelo as well.

Once the princess's cuffs were off, she turned back the way they came and said, "I'm with Fran. Let's get out of here."

However, before they could get far, Vossler rose from where he had been tossed and lifted his giant sword as he glared at them all and said, "No farther! Sky pirates, I will not allow the future of Dalmasca to be stolen!"

Basch walked in front of the others and faced Vossler with a blank face. The captain sighed in apparent frustration as he said, "Why do this, Basch? This struggle is futile. You must know where this ends."

Instead of getting upset, Basch raised the axe in his hand and said, "I do know. All too well."

That was all that was said before Vossler lunged at them. Thankfully, they all still had their weapons and were able to pull them out in time to deflect the attack. Basch handled the bulk of it since Balthier was busy with Fran, and Penelo had finally noticed that Anise was having problems as well. The four of them stood back while the rest made quick work of taking Vossler down.

When the man finally fell to his knees, both Basch and Ashe gave him concerned looks. It was easy to see this was something neither of them had wanted to do. However, Balthier had already started running with Fran back to the ship that had brought them. Penelo and Anise were right behind, with Vaan following. Only Ashe and Basch paused.

Balthier called back for them to hurry, but they were both still looking at Vossler as he said, "All I have done, I only thought of Dalmasca first."

Basch gave him a firm nod as he responded, "I know you do. I would ne'er gainsay your loyalty."

Vossler was barely able to hold himself up. "Look upon what my haste has wrought. Did I act too quick, or was your return too late?" He then seemed to bow his head as he continued, "I can serve her no more. You must take up my charge." Basch's only answer was a curt nod before he turned and ran to follow the others, grabbing Ashe along the way as they reboarded the ship that had brought them to the Shiva.

The ship had barely cleared the fleet when a bright light came from the dreadnought and seemed to swallow it whole as the ship suddenly imploded. There was then a blast that steadily expanded. The people in the smaller craft looked back with horrified expressions as the light continued to grow and engulf every other ship in the fleet.

No matter how fast Balthier pushed the craft, they could not get away before the blast hit them too. The sky pirate clenched his teeth against the pull on the ship and fought to stay in control as he issued a warning. "This might get a little dicey."

Fran was grasping the back of his chair and barely managed to stay upright as she groaned out, "The mist, it manifests now."

Anise had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but it didn't matter. She was affected all the same. Breathing had become nearly impossible, and each gasp she managed to take only made her blood feel like it was about to boil. She had never been so hot. She almost wanted to agree with Vaan for the first time when he said, "Is that what you call this?"

Somehow, they managed to make it beyond the border of the blast and still remained in the air. Though the smoke issuing from several places said, they did not do so unscathed. Once the ship stopped shaking, the others looked around with concern and finally noticed Anise was nearly as bad off as Fran. Balthier gave her an odd look but didn't say anything as he was already helping Fran sit. Basch moved to help Anise up from where she had fallen, but Penelo looked out the window and said, 'What's that?"

They all turned to see a glowing ball floating in the center of the globe of mist that still hung in the air. Ashe gasped and said, "I think it's the dawn shard!"

By that point, Balthier had made it back to the pilot seat and smirked as he said, "Then what are we waiting for?" Anise wanted to curse him when he turned to fly back into the mist. At least this time, it didn't make their ship explode. Thankfully, they were able to get close enough to it that Vaan could lean out the door and grab it. Anise was doubly grateful when they left the dispersing mist behind and fled back to where the Strahl was tethered. She had a feeling it might be a bit before she was up to snuff again.

Once they made it to the ship, it was decided that they would return to Rabanastre and regroup. Ashe could not try to claim her throne yet, even with the Dawn Shard in hand. And trying to do so before her right was verified would only invite another attack from the empire. She needed to find a way to fight back successfully first.

Plus, as soon as they arrived, they heard the news that the Marquis had left Bhujerba. Supposedly it was due to sickness. However, it did not take much for Ashe to realize that he was likely finally on the move to gather the resistance forces scattered across the continent together under one banner. Any announcement she made that she was alive and Ondore had lied would only prove detrimental. For now, she would have to hold her hand until some plan could be formed.

Although that did not stop the others from questioning Anise about her reaction to the mist. Not that she had any answers. She was just as concerned as they were. Especially since it took her several days to start feeling even close to normal again. Her breathing was fine, but for at least three days, she constantly felt like her blood was fire in her veins. Not that it necessarily hurt, but she was energized to the point of it being nearly painful. Not even Fran had an explanation. The only thing the viera knew was that the mist that seemed to cling to Anise was stronger than before. Though that explanation did little to help calm any of them.

Archades was bustling as ever, and the mood in the city did not reflect the conversation going on behind the senate doors. In the muted light of the senate chamber, a group sat around a large table with the emperor at its forefront. Not that he had an absolute say, and the conversation showed it. It was something he had become used to over the years. Though it left a bitter taste in his mouth to agree to call back Vayne. Especially with Larsa's involvement.

He knew he was running out of time. He only hoped he could stay alive long enough to ensure that his youngest son did not become the puppet the senate so desired. Though he had a feeling that Larsa would surprise them all. He was no puppet, despite his young age. It was both a blessing and a curse, but the young lord would have to grow up quickly.

The meeting drew close, and Emperor Gramis had agreed to recall Lord Vayne from Rabanastre. However, he had no sooner finished speaking when a bang on the door interrupted. All the men stood and turned toward the noise with frowns as the doors were flung open and a guard was thrown into the room. The armored man tried to stand and warn them about an intruder, but his words were cut off before he could finish when a bolt of light sliced him cleanly in two.

The yells of the senate were reduced to murmurs when a man followed the light into the room. Even if he had not been floating a foot above the floor, the aura he gave off was palpable and dangerous. He did not seem the least bit perturbed when he was surrounded by guards that had followed him in. He ignored them and instead focused on the man wearing the crown.

"Archades has done well. As has Rozzaria from what I have heard in the wind. I suppose I will visit them next. Though first, I must rid this land of the false emperor."

His words garnered more outrage from the senate, and their yells guided a handful of guards to jump forward. Each of them exploded into a red mist before they reached the transparent bubble surrounding the stranger. His eyes had grown even colder when he looked back at Emperor Gramis and said, "Only the line of Raithwall has the right and the might to rule these lands. You may bow to me, and I will let you live as the groveling dogs you are, or you may die as any others that oppose me."

Several of the senators seemed to shrink in on themselves, and instantly a debate rang out. A few called for more guards, yet most of them seemed to be begging for their lives to be spared. Gramis looked at them all with frowns before he stepped out from behind the table and walked to stand in front of the man with his head held high and an imperious look on his face as he said, "You may kill me here, but that will not be the end of Archades. Others will rise to take my place, and we will move ever onward."

The man smirked and tilted his head to the side. He seemed to be listening to something for a moment before he chuckled and shook his head. "A vassal such as you would have been a boon, yet you are not long for this world. I will grant you mercy and pray that you are correct. If your line is indeed as noble as you, it might be worth redemption."

The senate all cried out in shock as the emperor dropped to the floor—his eyes glassy and breath no longer passed his lips. Not that they were given long to worry about it. The stranger's eyes turned to them, and his smirk took on a feral edge as he said, "Though you lot are the kind of rabid dogs that need to be put down before they can infect the rest."

His mad laughter rang out amongst the screams as, one by one, the men of the senate turned into red mist until blood fell like rain. Only after the last cry died out did the man turn to leave with a glint in his eye as he said, "Yes, I know it is not here. Merely baubles that are pale shadows of the real thing. Less even than the trinket I left with the little priestess. We will destroy them, but not yet. Let us see if they can prove to be entertaining."

The group had been back in Rabanastre for four days when they finally sat down to discuss what happened next. It was then that Basch brought up a point that none had been willing to speak of in the days they spent recovering from their near escape. "It was the Dawn Shard that brought down the Imperial Fleet."

Balthier smirked from where he was leaning against the wall as he said, "You know your stuff."

Basch ignored the tone of the man's voice as he turned to the princess and said, "Destructive power of such force, I have seen the like once before. Lady Ashe, you know of what I speak."

The woman looked up with a frown, and her voice was barely above a whisper when she said, "Nabudis."

Basch gave her a solemn nod before he turned and explained to the rest of the group what had happened the fateful night that Nabudis was invaded by the imperial army and the ensuing chaos that turned the entire land of Nabradia into the necrohol that seethed with mist and was nearly unlivable for all but the wildest of creatures.

That was one land that Anise decided she never wanted to visit. After her encounter with the stuff Fran called mist, she wasn't thrilled with the thought of being exposed again. Though her attention was drawn back to the conversation when Balthier moved to lean against the pillar next to her as he said, "More nethicite, it's no wonder they invaded."

Ashe clenched her jaw before she reached out and picked up the Dawn Shard as she said, "That ridiculous war, the trap at the treaty signing, all because Vayne wanted power. He must not be allowed to claim the nethicite. The empire must never hold it."

Balthier scoffed at her statement as he stood and said, "They already do. The Dusk Shard, and likely the Midlight Shard as well. Besides, can't they manufact nethicite these days?"

His words drove Ashe to stand with a stern look, and her voice came out strong and clear. "Very well. Then the path set before us is clear. We'll use the Dawn Shard to fight them." She then paused and looked down as her voice lowered, and she continued, "Dalmasca does not forget kindness, nor ill deed done. With sword in hand, she aides her allies. With sword in hand, she strikes down her foes."

She then looked back up at Balthier, and her voice was firm once more. "The Dawn Shard will be my sword, and I will wield it against the empire. I will avenge those who have died."

Anise was impressed by the woman's bravery, but she still had a question. She stood and stepped forward to get their attention as she said, "But will that be possible? The stone no longer glows like it once did. It looks dead. Could that explosion have taken all its power?"

She felt horrible when the princess seemed to falter, but the woman's confidence was not that easily snuffed out. She stood straight and shook her head. "We cannot know that. Perhaps it only needs time to recharge."

Anise had to admit it was a possibility, but before she could say as much, Vaan said, "Even if it can be recharged, do you know how to use it?"

Anise felt even worse when Ashe faltered again, but all eyes turned to Fran when she said, "The garif may know. The garif people live by the old ways. Magicite lore is part of their culture. They may hear it—the cry of the nethicite's power, whispers of the stone's menace."

Ashe seemed to have been revitalized by Fran's statement. She strode to where the viera was standing as she said, "Dangerous though it may be, what we need is power. Should we declare Dalmasca free without the means to defend her, the empire would crush us. You must take me to meet with the garif."

Instead of answering yes or no, Fran said, "They live beyond Ozmone plain."

The viera looked over to Balthier, who joined them as he said, "Not exactly close."

Ashe made a disgusted noise as she said, "Compensation, is that what you want?"

Balthier smirked as he said, "Straight to the point—I like that. Compensation—" He then paused and hmmed for a moment before he pointed to Ashe's hand. "How about the ring?"

Ashe almost looked like she was about to panic as she held up her hand and said, "This? Isn't there something else?"

Anise glared at the sky pirate when she realized what he was asking for. She had begun to believe he wasn't that bad, and then he reminded her that he was. Although she relaxed a little when he said, "I'll give it back to you as soon as I find something more valuable."

His words still left a lot to be desired, but they seemed enough for the princess. She slipped off the ring and handed it to him before she turned away with disgust. The air in the room seemed to have thickened as the tension rose, but everyone ignored it as they all started to file out. Now that a destination was decided, they were quick to be on their way.

A/N: A new chapter, yay! Also, we are starting to see some real changes and more from our new enemy instead of Anise. Don't worry, she'll have her chance soon enough. Plus, the fallout from all of this will be like a landslide. I haven't gotten a lot of feedback on this one, so I would love to hear what you all think so far-good or bad. How do you feel the two OCs are fitting? Also, there are a lot more things to reveal coming up, but that will be some time down the road. I hope you are enjoying this so far. Thanks for reading and cheers!