Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Imperial Capital, Archades
Year 706 of the Old Valendian Calendar

The window in his study afforded Vayne an excellent view of the grand city far below. Archades was built in ascending levels, the slums at ground level, sloping upward to the grand imperial palace in the center, hundreds of feet above. From the top of that palace, Vayne could see the whole city, and the rolling plains beyond, all the way to the dense forests that divided Archadia from Nabradia. But they divided them no longer, he thought with a smile, for all Nabradia belonged to Archadia. All Dalmasca, as well. Only Rozarria stood against the great Archadian Empire now.
A rhythmic rapping sounded on the door, shattering Vayne's thoughts. He recognized the pattern well.
"Come in."
The door swung open, its hinges huffing the faintest creak. In strolled Dr. Cid, shutting the door behind him. One look at his face told Vayne he didn't have good news.
"What's wrong, Cid?" he asked. "Is all well at Draklor?"
"Oh, things are fine at the laboratory," Cid replied. "But I hear the imperial council isn't too pleased with your actions regarding the eighth fleet. That wind of it even reached my ears means they really are making a fuss."
"I am well aware of how the council feels," Vayne replied. "It does not bother me. And what of my father?"
"Emperor Gramis is too busy coughing to make his opinions known," Dr. Cid replied.
"I had thought this illness would claim him," Vayne said, "but it seems to be taking longer than I hoped. Our plans cannot begin in earnest until I hold the throne."
"If you're that impatient, why not just poison him or something?" Cid said, rolling his eyes. "Then you can take your throne with no trouble."
"Murder my own father?" A smile wormed its way over Vayne's lips. "Why, what an excellent idea."
Vayne let out a chuckle, and Cid laughed along.
"And how go things at Draklor?" Vayne asked. "The manufacture of nethicite? And how about your newest project?"
"Well, that isn't going as well as I'd hoped," Cid replied. "Those half-starved peasants you ship me from the slums are so weak they die before I can make any real progress. I don't see why you won't let me experiment on your Judges. I'm sure they'd survive the procedure."
"The imperial Judges are strong, loyal men and valuable assets," Vayne replied. "I can't afford to have them dying on your operating table, Dr. Cid. Show me success, then we'll see."
Dr. Cid let out a sigh. "Yes, yes, yes, I know."
"And what of the nethicite? Have you made any more?"
"The output is slow," Cid replied. "I can't figure why the stones don't all hold together. It'd be quite useful to have all three of the Shard here. I can't help but notice, Vayne, that even after all that hubbub in the sandsea, we still don't have the Dawn Shard."
"I think you forget, Cid," a new voice rasped, "the nethicite is not our main objective."
A shadowy form materialized, floating in the air, a ghostly figure all pale grey, face swathed in thickest shadows.
"Ah! Venat!" Dr. Cid said. "I was wondering when you'd show yourself. You have been quiet of late. And yes, I do know what it is we really need. But the nethicite is a useful aid!"
"Indeed it is," Venat replied. "But it is not enough for our new dawn. Not enough to put the reins of history in our hands. Remember that, Cid."
Dr. Cid let out a sigh. "Trust me, friend, the knowledge is never far from me."
"Cheer up, Cid," Vayne said. "Our dreams will be reality, soon. With the Dalmascan resistance crushed, there is little to stand in our way."
"They say the princess escaped that little incident, you know," Cid said.
"They say many things," Vayne replied. "But if that is so, we will be ready. She never caused much trouble before, after all."
Dr. Cid let out a chuckle. "True that. Nothing will stop us. We'll hold history, yet!"
"Indeed," Venat rattled. "We shall create a new Ivalice, a better Ivalice!"
"Under our benevolent rule," Vayne added with a smile.
"Yes!" Venat said. "A new dynasty, and a new dynast king. Vayne, that shall be you. We entrust our world to your abilities."
"All hail the future ruler of Ivalice!" Dr. Cid said, dipping in a slight bow.
"And his faithful advisors," Vayne replied, returning it.

…

Balthier didn't sleep very well that night. Every time he closed his eyes, a jumble of images invaded his mind; that night ten years ago, the terror on Fran's face, the horror in Vossler eyes. And that song rang in his ears until it drove him mad. Balthier tried to approach it all from a scientific viewpoint and glean what information he could, but the verses were all frustratingly vague. They only seemed to repeat that this great evil would come again, and to recognize it by the shattered myst. It said come 'again,' but hardly said anything about what this evil did the first time, or what it was, or how it worked. From just the song, you couldn't tell if it talked about person, and stone, or something else entirely. The one good thing Balthier hoped from this whole revelation was that it would give him some of the answers he'd craved all his life, but when the first dawn light trickled through the windows, he found only more questions.
Basch and Vaan were both still sound asleep, exhausted from the chaotic day before. Balthier did his best not to wake them as he got ready and exited the room. They had every right to sleep in, but he couldn't survive another minute alone with his thoughts.
Balthier wasn't really sure where he was going when he walked down the staircase into the inn's main foyer, where a few early risers were enjoying a hearty breakfast before headed on their way. He'd probably just go outside, where he could get some fresh air and evaluate this revelation in the light of day. Thinking about it was honestly the last thing Balthier wanted to do, but he knew ignoring it would be beyond foolish.
"Balthier?" A voice called out as Balthier crossed the room towards the door. He turned to see Fran sitting alone at a table in the corner.
"Fran." Balthier stopped. "What are you doing up already?"
"I couldn't sleep," Fran replied. "Where are you going?"
"I just need to clear my head," he replied. "Fran, when everyone else gets up, head out to the aerodrome; I'll meet you there."
"You're not even going to eat?" Fran asked, cocking her head.
Balthier sighed. "Don't worry about me, Fran. I just… need a moment."
Not waiting for Fran to voice her concern again, Balthier started off towards the door.
Outside, cold dawn light bathed the city of Rabanastre. Lingering puddles along the road, soon to dry up in the desert sun, gave hint of the downpour last night. Only a few people walked the streets this early, one or two chocobo-drawn carriages rattling down the road. Balthier set off in the direction of the aerodrome, trying to collect his thoughts.

…

The aerodrome was busy for so early in the morning. Balthier hung around outside, remembering when he'd sat there with Ashe and Fran, waiting for the rest of their party to arrive so they could leave for Raithwall's Tomb. He'd been so confused then by Fran's behavior; he could never have guessed what the truth really was.
A force of evil from ancient days, return to cause havoc like it had back then, however that was; that was about all Balthier could wring from the ancient rhyme. But that song wasn't the only source of information he had.
Balthier reached into his pocket and pulled out the little silver wrench. He hadn't thought of it in so long. His name, that ancient name he'd left behind, gleamed back at him, flashing in the Dalmascan sun.
Ffamran Bunansa
It was one of those things Ffamran had drilled into him for as long he could remember. His father had always said what an honor it was to one of the Bunansa family, that he was the heir to a great legacy.
"A great legacy…" Balthier breathed aloud, letting out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, right."
Balthier could feel it rushing through every vein, thrumming in every breath, something as familiar as his own heartbeat, so constant he didn't know what life would feel like without it. Still, silent, sleeping, cold as stone, so faint he could just ignore it if he wanted to, but it was there. The fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, an evil to ravage all Ivalice… Even in all his speculations, Balthier had never imagined that. But what did it mean, really? This would be much easier if only he knew that.
"Balthier?" Strahl's voice pulled at his mind, forcing her way through a shroud of despair. Balthier didn't reply; he was in no mood for her chatter.
"Balthier, what's wrong?" Strahl said again.
"Oh, why don't you just pull it out of my mind?" Balthier said with a sigh. "You can do that, can't you?"
"I can, I just think it's rude, and it'd be better for you to talk about whatever it is."
Balthier sighed. "Strahl, just leave me alone, alright? I just need some… time to think."
"Balthier…" Strahl let out a sigh. A few moments passed, then she gasped. "Oh… Balthier…" Then she trailed off. Balthier could sense her floundering for words. He chuckled; there was one thing that could render even Strahl speechless.
"Couldn't resist taking a peek, hm?" Balthier said. "See now? See what I am?" Balthier tightened his grip around the wrench, as if squeezing the metal rob until it snapped would make him feel better. "There's no excuse for this one. I thought I could control it. Enough time and effort and maybe one day it'd work out… But it only gets harder. I could… I could hurt someone. I have hurt people. I…" Balthier trailed off, unable, even in his mind, to set to words the confusion tumbling through his head, unable to admit the fear he felt so strongly.
"Always a choice…" Strahl said after a long silence. "That's what you told me, the night after the battle at Lemahl. It didn't matter I was made to be a weapon; it was my choice how I lived. You said that, Balthier. I don't know how much that applies to an airship like me, but you… Balthier, you have willpower! That means you can look in one direction, put one foot in front of the other, and move in the direction you choose. To live without that will… it's not living at all! Trust me, I know. But Balthier, you are alive! And Ivalice needs you to be! You wanted to fix things, right? Maybe this makes things harder, sure; you gotta take a chance. I won't pretend I know what that's like, but I wish I did! You've never given up, before, Balthier! Why start now?"
"Oh, I have given up before, Strahl," Balthier replied.
"And you want to fix it, right?" Strahl said, her voice rising to a fervent plea. "So don't stop again!"
 Balthier couldn't think of a reply. He couldn't say her words cleared his confusion any, though maybe there was a small drop of light in the clouds of darkness. Strahl's words stirred up another memory that sang out from a sea of despair; Zecht's parting words: You and I, we have a duty to live, and make this world better. Had he forgotten that conversation so easily?
"So, you good now?" Strahl asked, breaking the awkward silence. "Cause everybody's sorta waiting for you over here in the aerodrome. They're getting kinda worried, actually."
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" Balthier asked with a sigh.
"Well, you had a lot you needed to hear," she replied. "But now, since we're all done with that, I suggest you point yourself in the direction of hanger sixteen and start putting one foot in front of the other!"
Balthier sighed. "Don't worry; I'll be right there."

…

Bright sunlight trickled through the open roof as Balthier entered the hanger. Through the door, down a few steps, and up to the waiting group of his waiting compatriots. Ashe, Fran, Vaan, Penelo, and Basch all stood near Strahl's doorway, chatting amongst themselves. The topic, Balthier couldn't determine, because once he got close enough to hear, they all spun to greet him.
"Balthier!" Vaan said. "Where have you been?"
Basch cut Balthier off before he could answer. "We should leave; we've lost a lot of time, already."
"The captain's right. Let's be off," Balthier said.
"Balthier." Fran's voice stopped him as he started towards the door. "We need to talk," she said, slowly. "A lot more than we did."
"Ah." That didn't sound very fun, though if Fran had any more information, Balthier would be glad to learn it. "Yes, we will, but… As soon as it's convenient." Balthier cast a quick glance over the assembled travelers. This wasn't exactly something he wanted to discuss in front of them.
"What are we talking about?" Vaan asked, glancing between Balthier and Fran.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Balthier replied, shaking his head. "Now come on, let's get going already. Jahara's a long ways away, I hear."