"They found him near Saronia," Lenna said to Firion, who watched the sleeping man with her. Despite the throbbing in her eyes, she saw in the sleeping man the telling signs of one once possessed with unhealthy discoloring and little weight on him. "They found him with Krile."

"I'm sorry," Firion whispered.

"I can't say why I'd rather stay by the side of the unknown that brought her in. But Krile's… she may never wake, and this man might know what happened."

"You need closure."

She stared at the scattered marks this man sustained, which looked like nothing compared to Baralai's and Shinra's. "I'd rather he be burned."

"We're not in the practice of killing those stolen away by Bhunivelze."

Lenna stood and passed him. "We should be."

"And what about you?"

"I don't believe in exceptions to the rule. Maybe you should talk to Baralai about that given he does. If he'll go around hacking people, then he should know the consequences."

Firion went quiet at that and she knew she confused him. Baralai wouldn't tell people what he did.

Firion followed and they entered the camp of the Mage Guild, whose rows of tents were organized by him as per the tradition of his home. He claimed order as a stronger weapon than the sharpest blade, and so far it proved beneficial. Only half the tents were occupied but Lenna knew they could work with smaller numbers. It being the middle of the night, they should be sleeping in those tents, but the excitement caused by their find kept most awake and alert.

Krile slept in the Cabin, barely breathing. Her eyes didn't move under the lids and the only indicator she lived was the faintest pulse.

"You should rest," Firion said.

"I'll rest when the work is done."

"Says one who despises the habits of Bhunivelze and what they stand for. You'll wear yourself past usability."

"I appreciate your sympathy, but I have more important matters to tend to than my own self-pampering."

"At least tell someone your plans before you rush off and do something idiotic."

"Idiotic isn't in my nature."

"Not typically, but Bhunivelze brings out the worst in people."

A call sounded and Rikku yelled, "We've got incoming!"

Refia and Ingus returned, now with Luneth and another man—boy?—dressed in vibrant reds and sporting a tufted helmet.

Firion stiffened. "Is that…?"

"Luneth? It appears so."

"No, I… never mind."

Lenna moved to greet them and the newcomer snapped his eyes to hers. "You're from another world?" the boy asked on approach.

"Yes," she said.

"The Crystals lost one of their heroes from your world."

"How do you know about that?"

"They don't need connection to know if one of their Chosen is lost. They say they've brought in a replacement to hold her position until the allotted time has passed."

"What's that?" Luneth asked. "Someone died?"

The newcomer said, "Not dead. But we have missing and disconnected warriors. Bhunivelze's moved beyond people and now worlds are the least he'll settle for. Firion, how do you fare?"

Firion took a long moment to respond. "My work is chaotic and could determine the fate of the cosmos, but I fight on."

"Oh, good, so you remember."

"Remember what?"

"You guys keep talking," Luneth said, "I'm gonna go find something I can light on fire."

Ingus pinched the bridge of his nose. "I would strike you first."

"I might join him," Refia said with a look about them like she expected someone.

"And that would accomplish what? Come on, I know you need it as much as I do. Let's go!"

"Why must my work never end?" Refia grumbled.

Lenna took the boy by the shoulder. "How do you know about Krile?"

He looked up at her with eyes that seemed to stare straight through her. "I am connected to the Great Network. Our link is made available across the galaxy and I can tell you everything about anything they know."

"Then you know where Bartz and Faris are?"

"Not quite. Only that they're alive."

"'Not quite,' you said. So, you know something?"

"I know they last felt Bartz around Gaia IX, but that was years ago. With time distorting the process of travel and meetups, it's a messy business holding onto these signals. As it stands, your time is a thousand years in the past for these Crystals and it takes a lot of processing power to keep tabs on your date and mass signatures."

"What does that—"

"Suffice to say that it's complicated."

"That's not good enough!"

"It'll have to be. I'm sorry, I can't give you anything else."

"But—!"

Firion took her arm, startling her. "We know how to work with the impossible, Lenna. Don't pester him for more."

"Speaking as one who helped end the conflict of Cosmos and Chaos," the boy said, "I find it a mighty boon to hear that of you. I'm glad you're still as strong as I knew you to be, Firion."

"And how do you know me?" he asked.

"I just told you."

"Wait, 'Cosmos.' I know that name. Aria told me about her."

"The memory might remain buried for you, but I assure you that it's still very real and very relevant to our current struggle."

"What memory?" Lenna asked.

"We fought together," the boy said. "Firion and I worked with some dozen other warriors in the eternal struggle between order and disorder, dark and light. We were some of the few to survive the final round."

Firion put a hand to his head. "It hurts to remember."

The boy hesitated at that and something akin to sorrow passed his features. "Then don't. It's… not important, I guess."

"We'll prioritize," Lenna said. "You've come to fight against Bhunivelze, so I hope you have a plan?"

"We won't take the fight to him, for one. Oh, and you may call me Onion Knight. I have no true name, so—"

"Why not?"

"Because I'm just a fragment of—"

"No, why aren't we taking the fight to Bhunivelze?"

"Well, partly because he's on his way here to take the world for his own, so there's no need to go chasing him down."

"What?! He's coming now?"

"Well, technically, he probably left some time ago. But in my formation, I glimpsed his path from Gaia VII and—"

"We don't have enough people for a siege!"

"Or for a head-on assault," Firion said.

Lenna ignored him. "I renew my question! How would we fight this thing?"

"Not by using normal methods." Onion Knight put a hand to his chin in thought. "Wasn't he attached to the Void at one time?"

"If so," Lenna said, "I don't see how that helps! The Void aims for nothing because it is nothing. But there must be a way, since Bhunivelze aims for creation as his goal, even if it's a twisted and hollow creation. Why didn't they cancel out off the bat?"

"Bhunivelze's made a pact with the Void," the boy said. "He's sworn himself and his creation to eventual destruction in exchange for power. They don't cancel each other out, but it is a precarious deal."

Firion said, "Could you combine the powers of the Crystals to beat them? The Crystals are gods unto themselves, aren't they? They created you, why not form an army?"

"One, because I am not made from nothing. And two because your worldly habits won't work. To beat a god, we must think like gods and become soldiers ourselves instead of utilizing those we see as belonging to a higher plane of existence. And yet… perhaps we could—no. Or maybe—nuh uh."

Lenna felt a sinking in her stomach. "You don't even know."

"I'm working on it. We've done this before."

"We didn't beat Cosmos and Chaos," Firion said. "They kind of stopped it themselves."

"I know, but we helped. How did we do that?"

"Never mind." Lenna looked to the rest of the tents. Most finally went to sleep. "Perhaps you'll inform me when you remember. For now, I seek answers from Krile's carrier."

She left the two humming in thought while her head spun. This was back to square one.

She only paused when she caught Shinra kneeling inside the cabin by Krile's sleeping body. He cleared his throat, sniffled, and left without a word when he noticed her entrance. It was the first time Lenna saw him without Rikku.


When he came to himself, he found the dark ceiling of a small abode, lit in golden hues by a morning sun. But which sun? And was it the only one?

"I didn't expect you awake so soon." A girl with pink hair and oddly square eyes greeted him with solemn expression. "You… do you know what happened?"

"She—" Rufus remembered with sickening clarity. "Krile… is she dead?"

The girl kept stoic despite the twitch in her lip and eyelids that betrayed her suppressed grief. She glanced to his right. Her face was familiar from his possessed memories and her name hung on the tip of his tongue. "No," she said. "But almost. Answer my question, please."

He turned to find Krile sleeping in a bed beside him, chest barely moving with each breath and face marked with streaks of silver scars. "I was there," he said.

"If you have anything you could tell me about the circumstances—"

"Circumstances?"

"Yes. I can already guess who instigated it, but if you have any additional information, or—" Her voice broke and Lenna looked away. "I snapped out before her. So, I'm relying on you to tell me how—"

"She fought," Rufus said. "She fought Bhunivelze and assisted in recovering others like us until we lost him at your doorstep. Her body was too weak to handle the stress and I… I hadn't the strength left to help."

"You should be in a similar state."

"Yes."

"Why aren't you?"

"Because I was older and stronger. I assume you used white magic?"

"… We did."

"So, you saw how broken my body was. Krile was younger and worse off. Not to mention she'd clearly been pushed past the point of no return before I picked her up. There was a strong stressor before we ever met. A large battle perhaps, close enough for Bhunivelze to almost lose."

"There was."

"Then I need no longer explain myself."

"I find it hard to believe you never pushed yourself the same."

"I had no reason to."

"And neither did she." Lenna showed a startling shade of red in the face despite her calm words. "How dare you speak so dispassionately about my dead sister?"

"… She's not dead."

"She may as well be."

"Whoa, whoa!" A white-haired kid barged in. "Lenna, is he awake?"

"Yes." Lenna said before getting up and leaving Rufus to meet the kid that remained. The kid that looked at him with purple eyes and a stare that cut through Rufus. A stare that reminded him all too much of Cloud.

"Who are you?" the kid asked.

"An enemy, it seems." Rufus made an effort to put himself in a more dignified position but sitting up only aggravated his back, shoulders, and stomach. The dull throbbing reminded him of his healing cuts and bruises.

"What did you do to Lenna?"

"I existed in the wrong place at the wrong time. My colleague was a mutual connection and she blames me for Krile's state."

"Did you do it?"

"I'd rather not think about it."

"So, you did it."

"That's… not how it works."

"If you say so."

Rufus forced himself against the wall and squinted against the pain. "I would like to work with you and your team to enact justice against those responsible. Do you consider that possible?"

"Probably?"

"I'm sorry, what was your name?"

"Luneth."

"Luneth. Do you know who's in charge here?"

"Depends who you ask. Refia says it's Baralai and Firion Arc believed in Palom, who's no longer here, and if you ask either Baralai or Firion, they'll point fingers at each other and Lenna. And then there's Alus who controls our resources."

"So, you need a better organization."

"I don't think so."

"No one's taking clear and consistent control, and thus you lose cohesion of your chosen party." His stomach growled and he wondered when last he ate. "I'll speak with one of them. Take me to any of your chosen leaders and I'll seek out a mutually beneficial agreement between both our parties."

"Well, you already talked to Lenna."

"Then Baralai or Firion."

Luneth regarded him with measured contempt and Rufus found that connection to Cloud stronger. Despite their radically different behaviors, their countenances proved eerily similar. "Fine. But no funny business or I'll toss you off the side of the Continent."

Maybe not such different behaviors, then. Rufus wondered what he meant but settled on going with him for now. Luneth opened the door and Rufus expected to follow him, but the boy—Rufus doubted his assumption that it was a boy—yelled and made way for two men in drastically different attires and yet almost brother-like complexions.

"Does everyone on this planet sport such unnatural colors?" Rufus asked with a gesture.

"No," Luneth said. "Arc is more earthy."

"Baralai," said the one in more robe-ish attire before making a sign with his hand and bowing, with one leg back. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Same," said Firion. "First things first. What world are you from?"

"You mean to interrogate me." Rufus meant to stand but exhaustion hit again, and he fell back. "I doubt the information I have is of use to you."

Firion said, "I assume you know more about Bhunivelze than we do."

"Yet you've clearly known him better than me." Rufus gestured to Baralai. "Only burst light could cut from the veins through the skin like that. Bhunivelze didn't remember to contain it until after the change to his favorite vessel."

"Speaking as one who knew both periods," Baralai said. "Firion, you were right. Shinra… I think I remember you. Gaia VII?"

Rufus remembered to relax. "Yes. And you come from a world of water and betrayal."

"Shinra?" Firion said. "Are you saying he's connected to the kid from your world?"

"No." Baralai clasped his hands behind his back and looked between them with the practiced indifference of one familiar with bloodthirsty intrigue. "This man's name is also Shinra and he's from somewhere entirely different."

"I thought so going by the voice, but…"

"There's another Shinra?" Rufus asked.

Baralai nodded. "I'm surprised you don't remember him when you've got my background so clearly in your head."

"This other person didn't help Break me."

Firion said, "Then that'll make an awkward encounter. For now, let's focus on Bhunivelze and hold off on the ex-possessee catchup. Shinra, will you help us fight?"

"You have no reason to trust me."

"We've not yet found a single victim of Bhunivelze's that doesn't want to get back at the things that ruined their life. You don't seem any different."

Rufus looked at Baralai, whose cold exterior betrayed no promise of compassion. "Will you swear me one thing?" Rufus asked.

"Depends," Baralai said.

"I want vengeance."

"That's what we're all working toward in the end."

"Then you have my loyalty." Rufus leaned forward. "Promise me a chance to hurt this thing and I'll give you everything I have."

"Done." Firion stepped forward and flipped out a dagger, handle toward Rufus. "It's how we make promises on my world. Put your hand on the end and our good word is assured."

"It might not mean much between cultures," Baralai said, "but it's the best we can offer."

Rufus nodded and did as directed.

"Now," Baralai said when they pulled apart, "I have my own questions. Shinra, don't fear the light."

Blood went cold and Rufus froze. "What? You wouldn't—"

"Don't shun the darkness." Baralai came close and put a hand on his shoulder. "Eternity awaits you and all that's promised. Tell me how you really feel, my child."

Rufus spoke without thinking. "I want blood. I want chaos. I want to tear down everything that's pushed against me since I left my father's office."

"Would you hurt those around you? Would you use us as only a stepping stool toward your goals?"

"If I had to."

"Good." Baralai pulled away and Rufus felt realization dawn cold in his chest. "We can work with this, I think."

Firion cast Baralai a tense look and Luneth wouldn't look away from Rufus. He never missed more the company of his Turks.


Vaan burst through the portal to find the familiar air of Blue Terra that fit in his lungs better than Spira's thick atmosphere. It revived him to remember the clear and refreshing wind of Saronia's countryside, and it reminded him to breathe deep its faint mist. It chilled the spheres in his hands.

"It's warmer!" he said before Penelo rushed toward the Cabin. "Did we skip a season?"

"How should I know!"

They skipped past the emptied training fields and covered strategy tables to find Baralai speaking with Refia outside the Cabin.

"Baralai!" Vaan yelled before shoving his armful of spheres at the man. "You're not getting rid of us that easily!"

Baralai gave them and the spheres a confused look and Vaan felt a swell of anger in his fingers at the red rims around his eyes and the way he blinked so slowly like he spent the whole night in a tavern.

Penelo said, "We talked with Gippal and we're not having any of it. You stand on a slippery slope and we're not going to let you fall."

"I made a mistake sending you to Gippal," Baralai said.

"You made the one right choice you could have," Vaan said. "Gippal told us to remind you what happened when you tried the sand worm trick on him during—and I quote—'the days.'"

"I have no idea—"

"We don't care about understanding your games," Penelo said. "Only that you get the point that we're not leaving again. And whatever pit you've dragged yourself into is gonna get filled in so you better climb out with us. We all have responsibilities here, you know, and it's time you stopped neglecting yours."

Baralai heaved a sigh and looked away from the spheres. "And these? You cleared the entire Via Infinito because I asked for one?"

"It's a reminder," Vaan said, Reks' death all too clear in his head. "For next time you try to pull a veil over someone's eyes."

"Seconded," Penelo said. "It was his idea, but I agree. Also, Gippal says they would remind you of home."

Baralai pursed his lips. "Gippal has a twisted sense of humor. … Yevon, the entire Infinito."

"They're saying they support you," Refia said. "Maybe you don't know—"

"I do. Thank you, all three of you."

Refia smiled, but it looked strained. Like when Penelo had something she wanted to keep hidden from him while pretending everything was okay. Like after Reks came home. "Something wrong?" Vaan asked.

"No." Refia faked reassurance. "But you're right, you know. We still have approval from everyone here and a responsibility to them in addition to our newcomers. Right, Baralai?"

"… Right."

"Newcomers?" Penelo asked. "People are showing up again?"

"Yeah," Refia said. "Got a half-dead man and girl on our doorstep last night, and we brought in a friend from the Crystals."

"Hey!" Rikku joined them. "Vaan! Penelo! Where have you been?"

"Spira," Vaan said.

Penelo started. "Hey, Gippal wanted to leave you a message! Said he hopes you come back safe and sound?"

"Ugh, he doubts me?"

"I think he just wanted to be nice."

"Yeah, sure." Rikku looked behind her. "Or maybe he just has more work for me to do. There's a new kid that wants to see you, Vaan. Says you knew each other in another life. I mean, he didn't tell me to tell you, but he's got those sad eyes and I think he wants you to talk to him."

Vaan followed her look. A kid dressed all in red conversed with Ingus and Shinra but kept glancing Vaan's way. "Who?"

"We call him 'Onion.' Dunno what his real name is and honestly, if he's dubbed himself after vegetables, I doubt his real name is worth repeating."

"It's a metaphor," Refia said. "Onion Knights are valued on our world for their growing talents. I'll come with you and get introductions out of the way."

Vaan went with everyone but Baralai to meet the kid and caused a hush when he caught up to the other three. 'Onion' looked at him and said, "Hello, Vaan."

"Onion."

"Do you remember me?"

"From what?"

"Fighting for Cosmos. Against Chaos. And… well, I guess you didn't make it into the thirteenth cycle, so it wouldn't stick…"

"The what?"

Onion took a deep breath. "Never mind. It isn't important."

"Rikku said you wanted to talk?"

"Only if you remembered."

"This is not the first time," Ingus said. "He's expressed familiarity with Firion as well."

Shinra said, "That doesn't make any sense. Both made it clear they don't know him in turn, and neither are connected to the crystals like Refia and Ingus."

Onion rolled his eyes. "It's not—fine. That's fine. More importantly, we've just received Krile's replacement for Planet R—or, Gaia V. They'll need Lenna and her friends to return as soon as possible, but she refuses to leave."

"Doesn't make much difference," Refia said. "Not without her friends, at least."

"It will complicate matters in the war efforts…"

Ingus said, "We should pay our respects as well. She sacrificed herself for our side, going by this Rufus' report. No matter when she wakes, she deserves an honoring."

"If you believe that guy," Shinra said. "He claims to have the same name as me, after all, and that's just impossible. First, there has to be billions of people across the planets, and if you calculate the possibility of running into one person with the same name given different cultures, sounds, and—"

"It's unlikely," Rikku said. "Not impossible, csyndea tuuv."

"Ouin ubeheuh vuiht edc ecmyht, pedlr."

"Myhkiyka! Zang!"

"Anyway," Penelo said, "we're glad to meet you, Onion. I for one am thrilled to have another ally."

"He's not the only one," Refia said, voice soft.

Vaan asked, "Who else?"

"Balthier's back."

"How? When?"

"This morning, just before you got here. He's resting, but he just broke out recently. Apparently, he did a lot of dirty work under our noses."

"But don't they usually act, you know, mad?"

"Not Balthier. He's too smooth for that."

"I should have known," Penelo said. "He was way too nice those nights they were here. Not to mention how funny Fran acted."

"Fran acted funny?"

"Vaan, she doesn't usually stay so far away from the party like that."

"Doesn't she?"

"Not… quite that much. It was like she didn't want anything to do with us."

"Again, I don't see how that's different."

"Let's go find them after this and learn what happened. I don't want whatever information they had to evaporate like it always seems to do when people break out."

"Too late," Refia said. "We extracted what we could, but Balthier lost most of it when he got free."

Ingus said, "He did refer to Bhunivelze's presence fleeing all possessees. So now we need only find Prompto to get him back on our side."

"How are Iris and Gladio holding up?" Penelo asked.

Shinra said, "They're alive."

"That doesn't say much," Rikku said.

"But they're not dead and that's all we need."

"Could you think about what you say just once, oui meddma pnyd?"

Maria joined the party. "What are you all doing here?"

"Just getting things done," Rikku said.

"Saving the universe," Vaan said.

"Dealing with children," Refia said.

"Listening to children," Onion said.

"You are a child," Shinra said.

Onion twitched. "And you are more so, if I understand correctly."

"Hey, I'm a whole—"

"Don't bother telling me your cycles. It doesn't translate."

"Only if you don't use half a brain cell!"

Ingus said, "Penelo, Refia, perhaps we might convene somewhere more conducive to intelligent thought?"

"Oi." Maria looked between them, brow furrowed. "Perhaps separating you all would be better."

"No!" Rikku said. "I've still got things I need to say!"

"Like what?" Maria asked. "Oh, never mind. It's well past noon and we should get everyone fed before arguing further. It's time we convened at the Cabin and got everyone updated at once instead of whispering in corners. Come, follow me, children."

Vaan said, "Great, now I'm lumped in with the rest of you."

"Welcome to the party," Refia said.


Refia shuddered at the enclosed space that contained their collected numbers. She crammed in between Lenna and Penelo while Vaan sat between Shinra and Onion. Onion clearly regretted his jogging Vaan's memory going by the deep frown on his face that never left since Vaan started pestering him about their work together.

Baralai and Firion stood at the end of the table, looking more like brothers with each passing day. Refia wouldn't complain—their fashions converged on the popular styles in Saronia with mostly-bare arms and layered tunics that complimented their slim figures.

Fran and Balthier hovered outside with the new Shinra and the Amicitias and they conversed in hushed tones.

And then Alus sat closest to the door. He kept glancing her way and she kept looking away.

"We have nothing to fear from possessees anymore," Baralai said after Firion gestured for him to take the floor. "But we've received word that Bhunivelze targets our world instead. In place of preparing for a siege of mortals, we must assume the defense of our planet from deity."

"Which begs the first question," Firion said. "And that's 'how?'"

"Bombs!" Rikku said. "Or an electric barrier!"

"Shield," little Shinra said.

"I have armies," Alus said.

"Poison," Lenna said.

That drew attention. Refia asked, "You mean to poison Bhunivelze?"

"In a sense." Despite the bluntness of her words, Lenna showed a heavy reluctance in her tone. "It's what Krile was doing, effectively. Releasing as many pawns as possible. Can't we do something similar? Maybe we can ask—that is, maybe we can observe her methods."

"It's a good idea," Baralai said and Refia was struck by how much stronger he held himself after Penelo and Vaan's return. "We'll add it to the list of possibilities."

Lenna looked like she might protest, but instead she gave a slow nod and leaned back.

"Why not just get him first?" Luneth asked. "We've been sitting here forever and waiting for something to happen! Let's change that and go to him!"

"And find him how?" Ingus asked.

"I don't know, with a mark or something! We've got ex-pawns here, don't they know how to find this thing?"

"I wish," little Shinra said. "But he's trickier than I am and has twice the resources."

"Only twice?" Rikku asked.

Maria stood and steadied herself. "There might be a way. Not to track him, but to anticipate his approach."

"You remember?" Firion asked.

"No. But I've gathered enough information from our encounters and my travels to have a good feel for his weaknesses. When the mages were here, you focused on creating portals and made little progress. But then the moment the mages changed, they zipped about the place like they knew the power all their lives."

"How's that supposed to help?" Vaan asked. Onion relaxed at being left alone. "Doesn't that just make things harder for us?"

"Yes and no," Maria said. "What I found interesting is that Bhunivelze had the power to boost their understanding. If he can make them as powerful as he does, why not make them even better? Why not make a handful of invincible pawns and skip trying to recruit half the galaxy?"

"We don't know," Baralai said. "But I assumed it was a matter of shards."

"I'm sure it is. But doesn't that mean that possessing the planet imbues it with those same shards? Can't we take those shards for ourselves?"

"Oh!" Little Shinra jumped to his feet. "I volunteer!"

"You're not taking all of them," Rikku said. "Your body's cooked enough as it is."

"… Fine."

Baralai said, "We should use our strongest former pawns."

"I'd say so," Lenna said. "Better to use exes than waste the good lives of pure souls."

Vaan perked up. "You what?"

"Vaan," Penelo said. "Forget it."

"No, what's she saying about ex-possessees?"

"We're not fighting over that right now," Firion said. "Everyone, focus. If we pick up the shards as they come, then we just need to know when to get them and from where."

"Crystals," Luneth said. "That's always where these guys go first. But we can't let them take down all four or we're screwed. Believe me, it's happened before."

Refia said, "We stopped them last time."

"Not quite."

"Luneth, if we didn't, we'd all be frozen right now."

"Right, because we fixed them."

"Wait, how?"

"Don't you remember?"

"We watch the Crystals," Ingus said. "And guard them with our lives. Such has been our duty since the beginning of time."

"And because Arc isn't here," Maria said, "Onion Knight will take his place?"

"Gratefully," Onion said with a look at Vaan.

"And what if he leaves the Crystals?" Firion asked. "He doesn't seem like the type to give up after one try."

"I'll split my troops," Alus said. "Four forces ready at each exit from the Crystals."

"Assuming he moves like that," Refia said. "Perhaps we should guard the major cities instead."

Penelo gestured about them. "Some of us are more mobile than others. The Red and Cie can portal in and out when needed. If we post men in centralized locations, maybe they can follow as reinforcements to wherever the gods go."

"Armies are slow," Ingus said. "They'll never get where they need to go in time."

"So, keep them at the cities." Refia looked at Alus and he returned the look with something tense. "Sasune and Saronia are prime targets and an army would be as effective as anything else at keeping him out. But we haven't accounted for the eastern lands, yet."

"The Crystals speak with the fae realms," said Onion. "The guardians both here and of the east have arranged their own protection."

"Then I'll protect my people." Alus stood. "And I should prepare immediately."

"When do we dispatch?" Ingus asked.

Baralai said, "We'll arrange parties tonight and ship out in the morning. For now, everyone takes breaks and clears their heads. Consider strategies and grouping priorities. We'll need final decisions before we sleep."

"Roger that!" Luneth said before hopping to his feet. "Hey, who wants to spar?"

Onion scrambled to get away from Vaan. "I do!"

Refia took a breath to calm the pounding of her heart. How many more of these wars would she fight? How many years before she wound up like Onion?

Refia moved to leave and ran into Alus outside. He stared up at her with determined eyes and asked, "May we speak?"

"I—" Refia caught Penelo giving her an odd look. "… Fine."

Alus walked away from the Cabin until they found a quiet spot out under a leaning tree. "I'll not hold you long," he said, "but we must speak of this arrangement."

"We just talked about it forever in there."

"Don't insult me, please. You received your letter, I assume, or you would not avoid me. Your father's given his permission and my advisors have given mine. But I have not received yours."

Refia couldn't help calming herself with a little white magic. "To be honest, I don't know what to say. You're, what, ten?"

"Eleven."

"And I'm fifteen. Aren't we a bit young to consider such promises?"

"It's a plan for the future. But I understand why you might see it as premature. I know those outside royalty don't always arrange for marriage, and those outside nobility prefer to live freely until a certain age. But we of my status like to make our plans safe. And it would be the highest honor to marry a warrior like yourself."

"And that's just it. You want to marry me because I'm a Warrior of Light. Not because you've fallen in love with me."

"I can't know love until I'm older, anyway."

"Do you even want this, then?"

"You are Crystalchosen. By marrying you, I promise godly power and protection to my people. It is for that same reason that Ingus is like to marry his princess."

"I'm not Ingus."

"I should hope not."

Refia didn't miss the flush in his cheeks and she felt a pang in her chest. "Could I perhaps make a half-promise? I would like to know you more before making any commitments. And I'd like you to be older, but I guess they won't like me waiting five years?"

"I think they prefer the marriage happens in five years."

"That's—okay. Let's go out sometime, then, and… talk about it."

Alus nodded, looking defeated. "I also think of your welfare, of course. To become my wife entitles you to the grandest treatment anyone could ask for. You'll be given all the privileges of royalty despite your lack of blood ties and the people would love you more than anyone else."

"You don't know that."

"What if I talked about our mines beneath the Continent? You'll have access to the finest metals and craftsmen on this side of the world. You can work with the greatest blacksmiths and make your finest armor."

"… Now you're talking."

Alus smiled and it highlighted his lingering baby fat. "I might even ask you to teach me. I've heard your father's renown and can only imagine what you've added to it."

Refia gave him a nudge on the shoulder. "Don't push it. Flattery's never worked like that for me."

"Very well." Alus grinned, triumphant, and made his leave to "make ready" at Saronia. Refia watched him go, along with the guards that followed him, and felt a twinge of… regret? Hope? Anxiety? Or maybe all three.

Either way, this was neither here nor there. She had a war to worry about.


Ace took to a secluded place in the woods far enough from the cottage that no one would stumble across him.

"Ace."

Queen. She and King left Valhalla, to the relief of half the class, and now worked somewhere far away. Ace wasn't sure what he thought of it. "What's changed?"

"You have. Ace, you've done a good job keeping the morale of the troops up, you did what you could to help Jack and Nine, you—"

"Get to the point, Queen."

"I'm about to recall all of you. We're hardly making any progress across the worlds and need to regroup. Unless there's something keep you there?"

"We couldn't save Krile."

"If we saved Krile, it might have cost another their life. We've lost people before, Ace. I expected you to get used to it by now. We've suffered setbacks, yes, but we've thwarted every other advance on other worlds besides VII. We pushed our foe to the point of such desperation that he's abandoned his old plan. We'll ready an assault on Gaia VII with the help of any willing. We just need to force him out of the Lifestream and into a place where we can end him."

"Then I should rally forces here."

"I thought I might send someone else."

"You can't do that. Last time anyone else was here—"

"Nine attacked Baralai, yes. I don't intend to send Nine."

"They've been fine with me."

"But I assume you take the point?"

"I get it. I'll talk to the people here and see what we can get on our side. Don't worry—I know how to keep positive."

"You keep the spirits of the class up more than either King or I can. If you crumble, the rest of us do, too."

"You're exaggerating. But understood."

Ace put out the connection. They were still missing something. And it was something big that left a pit in his stomach. They'd deal with Gaia III and VII and whatever else they needed to to, but they were ignoring something smaller and far more insidious. If he could just put his finger on what…