Ha-ha! I love this chapter. Now go on, read and enjoy.

Part Two, Act Two: Burn
Chapter Nineteen

The Dreadnaught Leviathan, docked at Bhujerba
Year 706 of the Old Valendian Calendar

The sun sunk slowly into the sea, painting both sea and sky with the most wonderous shades of crimson and ruby. But enjoying the sunset was the farthest thing from Balthier's mind. The knights had taken him, Fran, Vaan, and Basch from Ondore's mansion to a small transport craft, which had carried them up to a massive dreadnaught. The ship was too large to dock at the aerodrome, so it sat anchored just outside Bhujerba with the rest of Archadia's eight fleet. The knights led the procession of handcuffed prisoners from the transport craft onto the dreadnaught. Balthier didn't bother to reach out to the ship; he knew what Archadian military crafts were usually like, and he doubted the dreadnaught Leviathan would turn out to be another Strahl.
There was no talking as the division of knights led the prisoners through the hallways of the dreadnaught. Balthier was astonished by how many knights ran through the ship's passages; the Archadians were certainly well prepared. After a short walk, they made it to the bridge.
In the Leviathan's bridge, several pilots sat at various control desks, manning weapons, engines, steering, and everything in between. The windshield was massive, providing a more stunning a view of Bhujerba than the Marquis window. Clouds danced over the roofs of houses, in some places close enough to touch. A great city carved from sky, now bathed in the fiery light of the sun's last glow. Backed by this display stood two distinctive persons. One was Judge Ghis, in his full Judge armor and high-council cape, all midnight black. The other was Amalia. She stood, her hands free, but flanked by two knights. Her face was filled with apprehension, her burning eyes fixed on Ghis.
"Your Honor!" One of the knights leading Balthier and the others saluted, calling out to catch Ghis's attention. "We have the prisoners from the Marquis, sir!"
"At ease." Ghis waved one hand, then turned to the group. His face was hidden beneath his ornate helmet. He was silent for several tense moments as he studied the captives, then let out a chuckle. "Ondore was right. He has indeed brought us Basch. I didn't think the Marquis was so loyal to our cause."
Amalia let out a gasp at the word 'Basch.' She broke away from the knights holding her and rushed up to him.
"Majesty-" Basch began, but he broke off as Amalia slapped him.
"You." Amalia's voice was barely more than a whisper, angry and broken with awaked grief. That same old pain glittered in her blue-grey eyes. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"Amalia!" Vaan called out. "Is that you? Are you alright?"
"Come now," Ghis spoke before Amalia could. "That is hardly the courteous due… the late Princess Ashe of Dalmasca."
Balthier's eyes widened. He wasn't sure who he thought Amalia was, but Princess Ashe? She had never struck him as particularly regal or princess-like, not once in their short acquaintance. The shaky, excitable little girl who leapt down into Vaan's arms in the sewers was, in truth, Princess Ashelia Dalmasca? Few things shocked Balthier to the core, but that did.
"It is true," Ghis continued, "she has no proof of her former station. Just another member of the insurgence. Those who stir up such strife among the people will meet their fate at the gallows. Of course, if Her Majesty would choose to bring peace to her people…"
Ashe spun around to face Ghis. "I will not play puppet to Vayne! I won't give up! Say what you want, but I will fight for Dalmasca!"
"But this is for Dalmasca," Ghis replied. "Don't you want to see peace in the streets of your kingdom again?"
"I want to see Dalmasca as it was! Free! Not under the Imperials' fist!" Ashe's voice broke, and she fell silent. In that moment, her eyes were a flaming pyre of anger, sorrow and despair, yet with a single spark of stubborn hope. A struggling flame that would not snuff out. Broken, but not defeated.
"A pity," Ghis said, shaking his head. "It seems-" He broke off as a harsh red glow like dying embers shimmered through the air, reflecting off the metal of handcuffs and knights' amor, scattering in a thousand different directions. Balthier felt suddenly like he might faint as that spinning, throbbing feeling shot through the air. It sang, 'I remember,' 'I know this blood,' 'this is what I was waiting for…' Balthier blocked out the grating voice and struggled to keep his hold on reality.
Ashe spun back to the group of prisoners, letting out a gasp as her eyes met the source of light. The Dusk Shard- for that's what it was- reveled and cackled in a horrible sort of glee. It made Balthier's mind reel, to the point even thinking was difficult.
"What is that?" Ghis asked. "Boy, show me."
Vaan struggled to grab the stone out of his pocket with his hands bound. The painful, glaring light increase tenfold as he pulled it into the open.
"The Dusk Shard…" Ashe breathed. She didn't look surprised; of course, she knew Vaan had it. She had seen it back in the Garamsythe Waterway. The stone had reacted similarly then, but not as powerfully. Perhaps Balthier was just more attuned to the flow of its power now.
"That stone…" Ghis strode up to Vaan. His black armor seemed to drip with blood in the shard's red glow. "Give it to me."
"No!" Ashe's face erupted with fear. She turned to Vaan with desperate eyes. "No, don't! You can't let him have it!"
Vaan looked around helplessly. It was obvious he didn't have a choice. He hesitated for a few moments, then Ghis simply snatched the stone from his grasp. The harsh glow of Dusk Shard retreated, until it was contained within the stone itself. Like a beating heart, a glow deep within the shard throbbed and pulsed, a tiny spark of hidden power. The terrible force that had washed over Balthier like waves of heat pulled back as well, and he finally felt like he could breathe again.
"Incredible," Ghis breathed, gazing down at the stone in his hand. "Dr. Cid will be beside himself."
Balthier sucked in a sharp breath at those words. It was obvious that the Empire would bring new nethicite straight to Draklor, but to hear it out loud… In the past two years, Balthier hadn't heard his father's name once. He'd locked it away, ignored everything. But now, Dr. Cid had more nethicite, or at least, he would very soon. Balthier's father had wreaked enough havoc with just the one piece. No, Balthier's father wasn't the one who did that. Balthier remembered the last time he saw Dr. Cid, in the aerodrome, after Nabudis's destruction, and that unfamiliar, dark look in his eyes. The Dr. Cid working this chaos was not the man he knew. Not his father. At least, it was easier to think about it that way.
"Take these prisoners away," Ghis said to the nearest knight. "Princess Ashe is to be quartered separately."
The knights replied in a unison, "Sir!" then turned the usher the prisoners out. Two knights took Ashe down some other corridor, while the rest escorted Balthier, Fran, Basch, and Vaan farther into the ship.

The knights led their prisoners down the passages of the Leviathan, presumably towards some prison cell. Two guards took up the front, followed by Vaan and Fran, then Basch and Balthier, with two more knights behind them. They moved quickly through the hallways, and Balthier noticed the abundance of knights they passed. The Dreadnaught Leviathan was well-staffed.
"So you carried the stone all along," Basch said. "The fates ill favor us."
Balthier let out a scoff. He had trouble seeing much blind fate about their capture. "Well next time, Captain, tell these fates of yours to leave me out."
"I am sorry," Basch replied. "You realize I had little choice."
"Quiet!" one of the knights shouted, but Balthier ignored him.
"Oh, I understand," Balthier said with a sigh. "Honor, duty, and all that. But I still can't believe that girl was the princess."
"I said quiet!" the knight shouted again. He swung his spear at the two of them, more to make a point than anything else. Balthier saw an opportunity and didn't let it go to waste. With his hands still bound, he grabbed the spears shaft a yanked on it. The knight was caught off guard, and Balthier managed to wrench the weapon out of his hands. Basch quickly caught on, bringing down his bound hands on the knight's head. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Fran used a powerful kick to send one knight in front of her flying into a nearby wall, and the other front knight pulled out his sword. He was about to strike at Fran when the other remaining knight charged at his fellow guard cracked him in the head with his sword hilt. All fell silent again. Balthier watched the last remaining guard with suspicion as he removed his helmet. Underneath was a man with crisp black hair and a short beard. He immediately locked eyes with Basch.
"Vossler," Basch said. "The Marquis sent you?"
Vossler nodded. "Yes. I didn't trust him lightly, but it seems you were right. He will be a valuable ally."
"Then you believe me?" Basch asked.
Vossler let out a sigh. "You'll have to forgive me for my distrust back at Rabanastre. I have guarded Her Highness for two years now. I doubted friend and foe alike. But now, yes; Basch, I need your help to free Princess Ashe." Basch nodded solemnly in response.
"So this is one of your resistance friends, is it?" Balthier asked. Basch nodded, and Vossler glanced over the other prisoners for the first time.
"What do we do with these people?" he asked, stepping up to unlock Basch's handcuffs.
"We can trust them," Basch said, shedding his bounds. "Balthier and his friends have proved valuable allies so far." Basch turned to Balthier. "That is, if you wish to help us."
Balthier let out a sigh. "Do I have much choice? I don't see any other way off this ship. That is, assuming you even have an escape route planned."
Vossler fixed Balthier with a most unfriendly glare. "I don't lightly place my trust in anyone, much less filthy mercenaries," he growled.
Balthier rolled his eyes, wondering what made Vossler so hostile. "Call me what you like. Do you want my help or not?"
Vossler glared at Balthier a few moments more before shaking his head with a sigh. "Very well." He grudgingly unlocked Balthier's handcuffs, then moved on to Vaan. Once they were all free, Vossler addressed the whole group.
"Princess Ashe is being held in the third detention block, down a level from us now. There are many knights on this ship, and we're likely to get in a fight or two."
"We're all aware of the dangers," Balthier said, walking up to the front of the group. "Are we leaving or not?"
Vossler gave Balthier his hostile glare again, then turned back to the others.
"Come on, let's go."

…

"Get in there!"
A knight shoved Ashe into her cell, then pulled the door shut. The small sliding door had no windows, and the only light came from a single glaring light on the roof. The room was clean but very small, the walls and floor all grey and completely featureless.
Ashe's head spun with everything that had just happened. First, her father's killer came strolling in, along with the thieves from the palace. And that boy- he had the Dusk Shard with him. That stone was Ashe's only hope. Possessing the Dusk Shard was proof of her royal lineage. Without it, restoring Dalmasca would be impossible. And now the Empire had it. But maybe, she realized, thinking over the old legends again, the Dusk Shard wasn't her only hope…
Ashe was desperately tired. Since her capture in the waterway, she had endured interrogation, torture, and everything in between, and now she just wanted a moment's rest. Ashe collapsed in the corner of her cell. No one was watching, no one was depending on her, so she drew her knees up to her chest and leaned her head against them. She felt so tired, so alone… She wanted her husband, or her father, but she knew they were all gone. Ashe would have rejoiced just see Vossler again, or anyone other than traitors and killers. Hot tears stung her eyes, but she instinctively fought them back. Ashe sucked in a deep breath and mumbled the words her father had taught her to say, back when her mother died.
"I am Princess Ashelia Dalmasca, and my duty is to my people. I have not the privilege of tears."
She had only been seven at the time, but Ashe remembered that day like yesterday. She could hear her father's voice so clearly. He'd said they weren't the only ones sad, that all of Dalmasca wept at the queen's passing. He'd said that they couldn't cry, that they had to stay strong for the people, even when they were sad. He'd said that was the duty of a king and his family. Her father's kind eyes, his warm smile, even when things were darkest…
But he was dead now. King Raminas was dead. Killed by that traitor, Captain Basch, who walked aboard this very ship. The thought made angry tears push again at Ashe's eyes. How could he still be alive?
And her husband. Somehow, Rasler was never far from Ashe's thoughts. She remembered the first time they met, at a conference between Dalmasca and Nabradia. Ashe had only been ten. Dalmasca and Nabradia had many such conferences over the years, and her friendship with the prince had grown, and then eventually it became something more. When their wedding was announced, Ashe had been overjoyed. She had always known her husband would be chosen for her, that her marriage would be one more step in advancing Dalmasca's future. To marry even someone she knew was beyond her wildest dreams, much less someone she cared for and respected. Their wedding had marked the start of unexpected happiness for both Ashe and Rasler, but it was cut short. After only a few weeks, Rasler was killed. Killed by the Archadian Empire. With that thought, those burning tears finally forced their way out and ran down Ashe's cheeks. That was why she couldn't help the Empire. She had to fight for Dalmasca, fight against the Empire, bring freedom to her people, and yes, avenge her loved ones. That was what she wanted, that was why she fought. These thoughts spinning through her mind, hot tears on her face, Ashe finally fell into an uneasy sleep, curled in the corner of her cell, feeling nothing like the strong leader she knew her people needed.

…

"In here. She's in one of these cells." Vossler strode through the doorway, into a short hallway, Balthier, Bash, Fran, and Vaan behind him. As Vossler had predicted, their journey to the detention block hadn't been without difficulty. They ran into guards only twice, and both times they managed to escape undetected. Vossler seemed to hold some innate distrust of Balthier, which he found particularly aggravating. Balthier couldn't wait to be off that ship and away from Vossler and his antagonism.
Inside the hallway, thick doors lined both walls, each labeled with a number. There were only six in all. Vossler turned to the nearest one and quickly typed in the entrance code. Everything about him was in a rush; it seemed Vossler was in quite a hurry to get Princess Ashe back. Inside the first cell, the walls and floor were a dull grey. It was empty. Vossler strode over to the next door and opened it. This cell was the same, save the girl crouched in one corner.
Ashe looked about the same as Balthier had ever seen her. Flustered, desperate, and scared. Now, she looked bone-weary, too. She raised her head as the door slid open, her eyes brimming with relief as they rested on Vossler. Balthier said nothing and watched. He had a feeling interrupting this reunion would get him on Vossler's bad side even more than he already was.
"Vossler!" Ashe called, pulling herself unsteadily back to her feet. "You… you came!"
"Of course." Vossler stepped over the threshold. "You thought I'd do nothing?"
"N-No, of course-" Ashe lost her balance, nearly falling, but Vossler dashed over and caught her.
"Ashe!" Vossler cried. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Ashe said, getting her feet under her again and stepping away from Vossler. She sucked in deep breath. "I'm fine, really." Ashe turned from Vossler to the others. Her eyes rested on Basch. The weariness there dissolved, and a flame of anger took over.
"You," she breathed, in that same whisper of anger and sorrow.
"Your Highness, we can trust Basch," Vossler said. Ashe whipped her burning gaze towards him, but he continued. "It wasn't him who killed your father. I'm sure of that, now."
Ashe glanced between Basch and Vossler, her eyes conflicted.
"Then… who did?" she said at last. "Can you tell me that?"
"One of the Empire's Judges impersonated me," Basch replied. "It was Archadia. I failed to protect him, and that is my fault, but…" Basch shook his head with a sigh. "We should leave. The guards will find us soon."
"Yes, that, I agree with," Balthier said, glad to finally get a word in. "If we want to make it out of here, it would be wise to start now."
Ashe's gaze swung over Vaan and Fran, finally settling on Balthier.
"You're the thieves from the palace," Ashe said, brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Balthier sighed. "That's a long story for a later date, when we're not all in mortal peril. Are we going to leave or not?"
"Highness, you're sure you're alright?" Vossler asked.
"Yes, I said I'm fine." Ashe held her head high in an attempt to look regal.
"Then we can leave," Vossler replied. He headed for the door, Ashe following behind him. "I have an Atomos waiting down in the hanger bay. If we can get there, we'll be as good as out."
"But… what about the Dusk Shard?" Ashe asked. "We need that! Without it-"
Vossler cut her off with a shake of his head. "No. The Empire has it, for now. Perhaps a larger rescue force could have gotten it back, but not us. And your safety is more important than that stone, Highness."
Ashe let out a sigh but didn't argue.
"Come on." Vossler strode out the door. "Like the pirate said, we need to hurry."

…

A wining alarm suddenly filled the air, startling Penelo so badly she jumped. Larsa had graciously offered to show her around the ship, the massive dreadnaught Leviathan, and she thought it would be rude to refuse. They had wandered the halls of the ship for some time now, talking and laughing. Penelo had almost forgotten about her predicament. But really, what trouble was there left? Larsa was taking her back to Rabanastre, and surely once he knew she wasn't in Bhujerba, Vaan would come back, too. Penelo had found her hope again and had thoroughly enjoyed herself as she and Larsa waited for the ship to set sail. Only now, their pleasant conversation was cut off by that awful alarm.
"Larsa?" Penelo asked. "What's that mean? Is something wrong?"
"Prisoner escape," Larsa replied, worry in his eyes.
"Prisoners?" Penelo's eyes widened. "There are prisoners on this ship?"
"I heard my brother entrusted Ghis with a leader of the resistance," Larsa replied. "But the knights are most diligent. I can't believe they would let her escape."
"The resistance?" Penelo asked. "You mean… the Dalmascan resistance?"
Larsa nodded. "She was caught in Rabanastre a short while ago."
"But…" Penelo struggled for the right words. "Why send one of the Dalmascan resistance all the way out here?"
Larsa let out a sigh. "I… I know very little about this prisoner. Though with the rumors I've heard, perhaps…" Larsa shook his head. "No, no I shouldn't. If she has escaped, the ship will be on high alert. We should get somewhere safe."
"O-Oh, okay," Penelo said. "Where should we go?"
"To the bridge," Larsa replied. "Ghis will want to know where I am." Larsa sighed again and glanced down the nearest hallway, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. Penelo hadn't known Larsa very long, but she felt like she could read what he wanted well enough.
"Maybe we could… go look for her ourselves?" Penelo said tentatively.
"That would be most unwise," Larsa replied, but he sounded like he was trying to convince himself, as well. He glanced back at Penelo.
"So?" Penelo asked.
"Come on," Larsa motioned for her to follow and started down the passage. "The detention blocks are this way."
Penelo had to agree with Larsa. This was most unwise. But if that was what he wanted…

…

Vossler walked at the front of the group, Ashe close behind him. The group kept up a quick pace, moving as fast as they could towards the Leviathan's docking bays. Archadian knights were everywhere, and they had to hide form them at various times. They hadn't gotten very far from the detention blocks when a voice called out.
"Vaan!" It was a girl's voice, not one Balthier recognized. Vaan seemed to know it, though. He stopped and spun around, and a girl with blond pigtails rushed into his arms.
"Penelo!" Vaan gasped, hugging her back.
"Vaan, you're alright!" Penelo said with desperate relief. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"
"Not now," Vaan said. "Penelo, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Penelo replied. Their reunion was cut off as another familiar person strode up behind Penelo. Larsa.
"Oh," Vaan let go of Penelo and scowled at Larsa. "Thanks for what you did back in the cave, Lamont."
"I must apologize for that," Larsa said, "but later." He turned to Ashe, studying her intently. "Then it is true," he breathed. "Princess Ashe."
"What?" Penelo stared at Ashe in astonishment. "The princess?"
"I'd be careful what you do next, young lord," Vossler said. His hand was on his sword hilt. "We're in a hurry."
"Yes, you must flee. The guards will be here soon," Larsa said.
"What?" Ashe's eyes widened. "You're not going to try and stop us?"
"Lady Ashe, that you were made to appear dead, and not even I knew of this…" Larsa shook his head and sighed. "There is something afoot, and I intend to uncover it. Princess, go, and do what you must. I believe 'tis for the good of Dalmasca, and for the good of the Empire."
To see such honesty among the Archadian higher-ups surprised Balthier. Maybe there was some hope for the Empire, after all.
"Penelo." Larsa turned to the blond-haired girl. "I assume you want to go with Vaan?"
"Uh, yes," Penelo replied.
"I see. Then this is farewell." Larsa reached into his pocket and pulled out something shiny. Balthier couldn't see it clearly. "For you." Larsa placed whatever it was in Penelo's hand. "May it bring you good fortune."
"Oh! Thank you," Penelo said. "It's beautiful."
"I should leave, and so should you." Larsa started down the corridor, then looked back. "Good luck to you, Lady Ashe." Then he was gone.
"You heard him," Balthier said, moving to the front of the group. "Let's be off."

Vossler seemed to know where they were going, so Balthier let him lead. They had to fight off a handful of knights at various places, but nothing too much. They took an elevator up once and journeyed through several winding passages. Vossler stopped them in front of a wide metal door.
"This way leads out onto the ship's outer deck," Vossler said.
"The deck?" Vaan asked. "You mean like, outside? Why are we going this way? Aren't we headed for the hanger?"
"This is a short cut," Vossler replied. "The hanger is on the opposite side of the ship, and it's a maze to get there. We'll run over the top of the ship and back through a doorway on the other side, and that will bring us straight there. There are usually archers up on deck, so it'll be dangerous, but it'll save us a lot of precious time."
"Archers?" Balthier asked, arching an eyebrow. "You'd almost think they were expecting a breakout."
"The Archadians like to be prepared," Vossler said. He turned to keypad next to the door. "Now, let's go. Highness, stay close to me."
Ashe nodded, and Vossler tapped in the code for the door. It slid open, revealing a long, slick deck underneath a sky filled with stars. No lights adorned the Leviathan's deck, leaving it lit only by moonlight and the glow from the doorway. Balthier didn't see any railings in the sides, either. He could easily imagine someone slipping and tumbling over the ship's edge to Bhujerba far below. Shouting came from outside, and dark shapes advanced towards the doorway. Knights' swords and armor glittered in the light spilling from the exit.
"RUN!" Vossler shouted. Quick as lightning, he grabbed Ashe's hand and bolted into the night. Ashe let out a gasp as he dragged her away, clearly surprised. Balthier smirked at her look of astonishment, then dashed out after them. Arrows whizzed through the air, sailing over the ship's edge and disappearing into the night far below. Balthier was glad for the darkness, otherwise someone probably would've gotten shot.
Then Balthier heard a cry of terror. He stopped where he was and glanced around until he saw her. Somehow, Ashe had gotten separated from Vossler in the dash, and Balthier spotted her just as went over the ship's edge. With knights closing in, arrows all around, and Ashe quickly slipping away, there was no time to think. Amid all the chaos and panic, Balthier just dived for the edge. The next moment still enough for him to think, he was bending half over the deck's edge, hands closed around Ashe's arm, wondering what on Ivalice he was doing. The princess turned stunned eyes up to stare at him, clearing having trouble processing the fact that she was still alive.
"Give me a hand here!" Balthier said, straining to yank her back up to the deck. He heard an arrow swish nearby and knew it was a miracle he hadn't been hit already. This princess had better be grateful!
Coming back to her senses, Ashe swung up her other hand and grabbed the desk's rim. With both of them pulling, Ashe was back up on deck in a few moments.
"Get up," Balthier said, quickly finding his feet. "And run!" Ashe managed to get upright again, and the two of them sprinted towards the opposite door. It was still open, and they made it inside, the knights on their heels. Balthier spun to the keypad, jammed in the code he'd seen Vossler use, and the door slid closed. The knights outside let out shouts of frustration, and Balthier sighed with relief.
"That was a bit too close," he said. "You alright, Princess?"
"Yes, I… I'm fine," Ashe replied. She was still gasping for breath. "You… You saved me. Thank you!"
"Oh, don't worry about it," Balthier said.
"You're… Balthier, right?" Ashe asked. "Or were you Vaan?"
"It's Balthier," Balthier replied. He glanced down the corridor. The bright light was blinding after the dark night outside. "It looks like the others have already moved on. We should hurry if we want to catch up with them."
"Oh, yes," Ashe said, nodding. Balthier noticed then she had one hand clamped over her arm, blood running out between her fingers.
"Hold on," Balthier said. "You are hurt. The archers hit you?"
"It's just a graze," Ashe said. "I'll be fine."
Balthier rolled his eyes. "Of course you will be." He dug a handkerchief out of his pocket and tore it lengthwise. "Let's get you fixed up then hurry after the others."
"Really, I'm fine," Ashe said.
"Oh, do stop with the tough act," Balthier said with a sigh.
"It's not an act!" Ashe replied. She didn't resist as he started to bandage her arm, though.
"You may be good enough to fool the likes of Basch and Vossler," Balthier said as he wrapped the bandage around her wound, "but you can't fool me. I know a cover when I see one."
Ashe didn't reply. She stared at Balthier a few moments, then looked pointedly away. Oh dear, Balthier thought. There I've gone and insulted her. But there wasn't time to sit there and make up. There were still knights right outside the door, and it was only a matter of time before they got it open.
"All done," Balthier said, tying off the bandage. "Now let's hurry."
Balthier and Ashe were just rounding the next corner when Vossler met up with them.
"Your Highness!" He rushed up to Ashe. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Ashe said, nodding. "Thanks to Balthier." Apparently she wasn't too mad at him.
Vossler turned a simmering gaze to Balthier. "You," he hissed out. That was about all he could take. What did this Vossler guy have against him?
"Your welcome, Vossler," Balthier said. "Of course, it's not like I've just gone and saved your princess's life or anything. There's no need to grateful."
Vossler scowled at him one more time before turning back to Ashe. "Come on, Highness. The docking bay is just up ahead. The others are already there."
"Oh, yes." Ashe nodded.
Balthier, Vossler, and Ashe continued down the hallway and through the door at the end. Inside, five Atomos were lined up in front of an already open docking port. The night sky, filled with sleeping ships under the shimmering stars, spread out before them. The city of Bhujerba glittered with the distant light of lamps, dying out one by one as the street markets closed their shops for the night. The moon, a glimmering half-circle of pure white light, nestled among the stars just over the sea, bathing the waters in its silvery light. Inside the hanger, Basch, Fran, Vaan, and Penelo stood just a few yards away from one of the Atomos with its door wide open. But between them and their escape craft stood Judge Ghis. He held two long swords, their black metal gleaming in the mixture of harsh, artificial light from the hanger and the soft moonlight outside. Balthier, Vossler, and Ashe screeched to a halt at the sight.
"Ah." Ghis turned his attention to the newcomers. "There she is. Princess Ashe." Ghis strode forward, walking past the others to confront the princess. Vossler whipped out his sword, holding it between Ashe and Ghis.
"I see your bodyguards are ever faithful," Ghis said. "Now, Princess, I'll give you one more chance. Help us bring peace to Dalmasca, or die here by my hand."
"No," Ashe shook her head. "I won't help the Empire!"
Ghis let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Very well. If you're intent on being so stubborn, then Archadia no longer has any use for you!"
Ghis jabbed with both his swords. Vossler blocked one attack, and Ashe managed to dodge the other. She had no blade of her own and would be helpless in a battle. Ghis leapt back, raising his swords for another charge. Balthier felt frustratingly useless. The guards had taken all of their weapons, not just Ashe's, so Vossler was the only one with a sword, and he looked quite outmatched fighting alone against an Archadian Judge. The crash of steel on steel echoed through the hanger, a harsh music full of both strength and desperation as Ghis drove Vossler back against one of the Atomos. With Vossler's back against the wall, it looked like his fate was sealed. Ghis brought down a crushing overhead blow, but Vossler blocked it. With his other blade, Ghis made a thrust to run him through, but Vossler swung his blade around, just managing to deflect it.
"Get Ashe away!" Vossler shouted about the din of clashing blades. "Basch! Protect the princess!"
Basch nodded, then turned to Ashe.
"Now, while we have the chance." Basch turned to Ashe. "We must leave now."
"But…" Ashe swung desperate eyes between Basch and Vossler, locked in deadly combat with Ghis.
"You heard him!" Balthier said, loud enough everyone could hear. "Everyone, on to the ship! This is our only chance!"
Fran beckoned to Vaan and Penelo and led the two teenagers towards the small ship, Basch close behind. Balthier followed, but stopped when he saw Ashe wasn't coming.
"Ashe!" Balthier strode back over to her. "We have to go."
"But Vossler! We can't leave him!" Ashe said. Her eyes were wide as she watched the combat. Vossler had extracted himself from the pinned position against the wall and was battling Ghis on the open floor. Ghis sent strike after deadly strike at him, and Vossler narrowly blocked again and again. It was only a matter of time before he got skewered. Balthier had had his differences with the man in their short acquaintance, but he recognized his character now; he was willing to die for his princess. Ashe, whose eyes had shown with such unending determination back on the bridge, looked on the brink of tears now. Balthier didn't want her to have to witness Vossler's end.
"Princess! Come on! We have to go."
Ashe shook her head. "No! I can't leave without Vossler!"
"We can't help him now!" Balthier said. Ashe's stubbornness was starting to get to him. "He's doing this for you, Ashe! Do want him to die for nothing?"
Ashe glanced helplessly between Balthier and Vossler, saying nothing. Ghis struck a blow at Vossler, managing to hit his sword arm. The strike found a joint in Vossler's armor, and he let out a hiss of pain. Vossler kept fighting, but his lightning reflexes were slowing. They had to leave now or never. Balthier grabbed Ashe's arm and dragged her back towards the Atomos where everyone else was waiting. They stood just outside the doorway, watching Vossler and Ghis's death duel with rapt attention. After a few moments, Ashe found her feet and followed reluctantly, her eyes always fixed on her guardian in his deadly fight for her escape. Balthier tightened his grip in an effort to keep her moving. Finally, they reached the others waiting.
"Everyone, on board now," Balthier said. "We-"
He cut off at another crashing clang. Vossler had aimed his own blow at Ghis, and the Judge blocked it with both his swords. It one fluent motion Ghis flung Vossler back with the combined force of his two blades, sending the valiant knight flying across the floor.
"Vossler!" Ashe all but screamed. Vossler tried to push himself up, but his strength failed, and he slumped back to the floor. Balthier expected Ghis to move in for the final strike, but the Judge turned to the group at the Atomos instead.
"This is the end of the line for you, insurgents!" he shouted. Ghis dropped both his swords, raising his hands over his head. A drop of golden light formed in the air above him, growing larger by the second.
"Myst!" Fran cried. "He's using a spell!"
And it looked like a doozy of one. The orb of collected myst seethed in a mass of glittering golden energy. The air around it rippled like a heat haze. Such a massive spell would surely wipe them out.
Then a stabbing pain split Balthier's head, and it was all he could do not to cry out. This happened so often lately he recognized the pain immediately: nethicite. Only, this was different. It didn't feel like the nethicite back at Draklor labs, or the Dusk Shard. This was something unnatural, something sharp and cold. It felt like icy claws raking across his mind, backed with a hissing voice that rasped, 'I'm hungry.' Before Balthier could even wonder where this nethicite was or why it was reacting this way now, the orb of myst energy collecting for Ghis's spell rippled and warped, twisting into a stream that rushed straight towards them. But instead of exploding and wiping them all out, it fastened onto one destination and began to drain away. Balthier turned, and what he saw made it all clear. Penelo, Vaan's little sister, held in her hands the manufactured nethicite Larsa had in the mines. That was what the little prince had given her? Of course, Larsa didn't know that it was potentially one of the most dangerous things on Ivalice.
The myst from Ghis's spell drained straight into the nethicite, disappearing as the stone's aquamarine glow grew brighter. The wretched feeling of the nethicite's satisfaction flooded the air all the more, and Balthier clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. The stone greedily slurped up every last drop of Ghis's spell, draining dry his supply of myst. The world was silent as everyone stared in awe at Penelo's nethicite. When the stone had finally devoured everything it could reach, Ghis dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.
"What…?" His voice was weak, barely audible beneath his helmet. "What… is that?" Balthier agreed with his sentiment.
"Vossler!" Ashe broke from the others and rushed to her protector's side. Balthier followed her, the others close behind. Vossler lay on the floor, gasping for breath. The wound on his arm bled freely, pooling on the ground beneath him. Balthier couldn't see any other wounds, but that didn't mean there weren't any.
"Your Highness…" Vossler gasped out. "Ashe… You have to… go."
Ashe dropped to her knees beside Vossler, saying nothing but clearly stifling tears. Fran rushed over to Vossler's other side and knelt down also, holding out her hands. A glow as pure and white as moonlight flowed out, bathing Vossler's wounds. Balthier kept an eye on Ghis in case he got back up, but the Judge seemed incapacitated. He just sat there on his knees, gasping for air, oblivious to anything else. The cold reality of the nethicite's power was a terrifying one; that wasn't even its full potential. Balthier had felt it. That stone hadn't been attacking, just sucking up as much myst as it could. What could the nethicite do when used for destruction?
After a few moments, Vossler managed to sit up.
"I'm fine," he said between breaths. "We have to leave. They'll be after us soon."
"He's right," Balthier said. "Vossler, if you can stand, let's go."
Basch helped Vossler get to his feet, and the party rushed towards their Atomos. They hurried on board, flying out into the night sky beyond. Atomos could only fly short distances, but it would take them to Bhujerba's aerodrome. After that, then they'd figure out what to do next.