"Just shoot me."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's a quicker end. They got me. So just end it."

"where?"

"Doesn't matter. Ju-st do it…"

"You're that weak as to take death as your escape. I'm disappointed."

"I don't care. It's over anyways."

"Your so dramatic. You'll live. I'm not about to let you die."

"Then I'll-"

"Put down the gun."

"I'll end it-"

"Its not loaded, Rif. Stop it. This is no longer funny."

Emily had long sense lost the color in her body, and Blade herself was feeling rather weak.

"Alright…Find the cave." She whispered, trembling under a blanket of snow. Parts of her body she could no longer feel, and ice had claimed the tears she had shed because of the wind. She guessed if she could feel the numbed places she'd be in pain. Maybe it was a good thing she couldn't.

"C-cave?" Emily stuttered weakly, clutching onto Rif for support and warmth. The black haired man didn't seem to mind it. Of course, it was Rif after all.

"We managed to fi-find a cave on-ce. B-baby, we didn't pass it this time."

"I know." Blade said, looking about slowly. "Just…where I-s it?"

She squinted, trying to see past the dying snowstorm. Blinking rapidly to try and clear her blurring vision, she pulled out faded memories. Where was it?

It didn't take long for her to remember where they were. The cave was close by. Her head turned to the left, slowly taking in the mountain side. After a moment she spotted it. Smacking her forehead, disappointed in herself for not being able to spot the black hole the first time, she turned to Emily and Rif.

"Just a little farther now." She said, the thought of shelter from the snow warming her mood. She lifter her bag from the ground, where she had been dragging it for so long, and began to trek towards the cave.

'Lets hope nothings changed. I don't think anyone would have moved anything. No many people want to hike this mountain, for obvious reasons.'

As she stumbled closer to the cave, shivering under the worn jacket of a Shinra guard, she realized it had changed. A pale glow could be seen coming from within the cave, and a silver glare was coming off from some object inside.

Blade stopped, only to be blindly slammed into by Rif. "Sorry darling." He whispered.

Blade ignored his apology, cocking her head to the side in confusion. Rubbing one of her cold arms, she glanced back at Emily.

"Em, did Da'ath mention anything ab-bout any projects being worked on in the mountains?"

Behind Blade Emily shook her blond head, the headband that had threatened to fall from her ears sense they left the Forgotten Capital finally dropping in front of her eyes.

"N-not that I ca-an remember." She stuttered because of the cold, a frozen hand leaving the warmth that was Rif's jacket to pull the headband back over her ears. "H-he never mentioned an-ny project."

Blade nodded slowly, heaving her back up on her shoulder again with some difficulty. Her free hand went to try and free one of the daggers at her waist. After a moments struggle, she managed to pull the frozen weapon free.

"W-what are you planning?"

"Just a safety precaution Rif. Besides, if we don't get inside soon, we aren't going to make it to Icicle inn."

"I-its…at least a-another days hike…in this weather and th-e pace we are going." Emily could be heard whispering behind the older woman. Blade nodded and started again for the cave.

She reached it quickly, not bothering to wait for Emily and Rif. Walking inside, she heard her boots click off something that definitely wasn't dirt.

"Metal?" She asked, kicking aside some snow. Her eyes ran along the floor, seeing the same silver glare she had seen trudging up to this point. The caves interior was a kind of metal.

"What-what is it?" Rif ask, coming to stand next to her. He didn't need her answer, for within seconds his eyes widened.

"Em…You positive Da'ath never said anything?"

Emily trembled next to Rif, nodding. "Y-yes…"

Blade smirked, shrugging off piles of snow and dropping her bag. "Emily, stay here. Rif, give her one of your guns. You come with me."

"W-why do I have to st-tay here?" Emily asked, eyes wide in fear. Blade turned to her, taking the weapon from Rif. She handed it to Emily.

"You can use this, right?"

"Y-yes…But-"

"you fire it off if anyone comes, got it? We'll come back for you. I'm not so cold as to just leave you. There is another jacket in my back if you need it."

Emily nodded, blue eyes frightened still. Blade turned to Rif, pulling off her jacket, and carefully the layers underneath. Rif did the same, incase they had to move quickly. The extra layers were not much of an asset in combat.

"Come on." She took a step, then stopped. Turning back to Emily, she unfastened Glory's sheath. She set the sword down next to her pack.

"If you have to leave, take the sword with you." Blade told the blond. She couldn't use it correctly anymore, and it would only get in her way. But as she walked away, she couldn't help but feel a part of her was missing now.

"Apparently no one comes this way anymore." Rif remarked, wrapping the scarf he left on around his neck a second time.

"Apparently." She rubbed her cold arms. "What the hells going on down here?"

"It turns…" Rif said, blinking as the lights flickered over head.

"Did some renovation work, didn't they?" Blade asked.

Rif smirked, closing his eyes s they come upon the corner he had spoken of.

Blade stopped abruptly, grabbing Rif.

"Well, well, well…" Blade whispered, grinning. Rif blinked.

"a…wall?" He swore.

Blade still grinned. "Same one like in Da'ath's little "palace". Cant you see the marking?"

"Marking?" Rif asked, looking at her. "There were no markings on the walls Da'ath walked through?"

"There are. I was slammed against one before Emily opened it." Blade placed her hand on the silver sheet. "There is a marking here."

"So…you think it's a set up?"

Blade smirked. "Look at who you are, and who Sedek and Da'ath look like." She looked over at Rif. "There is a piece missing Rif."

She turned and left him to stand there, walking back around the curve.

"Emily!" She called, seeing no one but her silhouette at the caves mouth. The woman's head jerked up.

"Come here, I have something for you!"

Shakily the blond woman rose, trotting along down the corridor towards Blades voice.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked, stumbling. Blade caught her before she fell. "Can you enter all the doors like those found in Da'aths home?"

Emily blinked and looked down at her feet. After a moment she nodded. "I believe I can…"

Rif suddenly was at Blades shoulder. "Good." The older woman said, turning and walking back to the wall. "Then open this."