The glowing path beneath our feet casts an eerie green glow across our faces. The darkness in the center of the temple now glitters with a constellation of some unseen substance, lighting up the dim, damp space surrounding us. After travelling in silence for so long, no one wants to break the quiet air of thoughtfulness as hundreds of thoughts swirl around each person's head. However, it doesn't seem to surprise anyone when Penelo finally speaks up, pacing toward the edge of the translucent walkway.
"I can't shake the feeling we're somewhere we're not meant to be," she says softly, swinging her arms at her sides as she gazes out at the glimmers of light in the near distance.
"Yeah," Vaan replies, coming up behind her. "It's exciting."
"Exciting?" Penelo repeats, frowning.
"You are not troubled by the unknown?" Basch asks, stepping closer to the two. "Who can say what lies ahead? We may encounter the very creators of nethicite."
"Yeah," Vaan sighs, lacing his fingers behind his head. "I don't know what we'll find."
"But it's all part of the experience," I remind them, cocking my head to the side. "That's what makes it exciting. Where's the fun in knowing the ending to a tale when you've only just started it?"
"Exactly," Vaan nods. "I like it better that way."
"You're sounding more the sky pirate every day," Basch points out, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"Isn't he?" Balthier raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "And here was Shae thinking I was a bad influence."
"You are," I scoff, rolling my eyes. "The boy's been in more trouble the past few weeks than he ever would have had you never met him."
"As have you," Basch points out. Balthier practically snorts.
"She has a knack for finding it all on her own."
"Can we get off this bridge?" Penelo blurts, staring down at the cold abyss of nothing through the clear parts of the floor. "I feel like it's going to disappear any second."
We head down to the other side where, instead of meeting another lengthy stretch of blue crystal, we find ourselves on solid stone that's accented by a glowing green tile that leads to an enormous door. Left with little choice, we head toward the opening, pausing outside the doors. Penelo twists her hands around her staff nervously.
"What's in there?"
"Likely some formidable beast we need to defeat in order to continue," Balthier sighs, glancing at Vaan. "I trust that you can stay out of peoples' way?"
"I'm not that bad," Vaan huffs, drawing his dagger. "Let's go."
"Fine, fine," Balthier mutters, pushing the door open. We all tense, ready to face whatever may charge at us head on. But there's nothing. Only another path and a set of stairs—though I suppose we could attack those if we really felt like it.
"Huh." I tuck my spear away. "I guess life realized it was getting too predictable."
"Must have," Basch sighs. "More walking it is, then."
More walking it is, indeed. We follow a winding maze of roads, tracing along only the ways that glow with the green of the magick paths in hopes that they'll take us the right way. They have so far—or so we think. We have no real point of reference for where we're headed. I'm not even entirely sure why we're in here. If Ashe hadn't lost it for those few moments, we'd still be outside waiting for Cid and his lovely friend, Venat. It may have been a bit boring, but I'd choose that over dragging my battered body around this madhouse any day.
Finally, we come to another hovering green trail that leads toward the glimmering core at the center of the void that fills the center of the temple. We hurry onto it, rushing to find the end of the path. A large glowing circle of symbols waits ahead. Vaan heads onto it without hesitation, leaving us little choice but to follow.
The instant the last foot hits the platform, the trail we once walked dissipates one panel at a time. As the light steadily snuffs out, a shrieking roar pierces the air. A dragon-like lizard tumbles down from above, sliding across the disappearing tiles and nearly toppling over the edge just in front of it. Its jagged claws clack across the surface of the platform and it drags itself back up, screaming out a scratchy roar.
Vaan rushes forward to slash at the monster's dull scales, narrowly missing a sharpened claw. I raise my spear to block a strike from the beast's massive beak, stumbling back from the force of the blow. My stomach aches, screaming in protest from the slim seam that holds me shut. I wouldn't be in pain if Jonan hadn't been so hasty in his murder attempt. I jam my weapon underneath a jagged brown scale, piercing into the creature's flesh. It shrieks, lashing out at Basch.
Ashe rushes forward, ducking under a blow from a massive leathery wing, and stabs into the monster's soft underbelly. Crying out, the beast bellows out its anger and swings another wing out to the side. The appendage strikes an unsuspecting Penelo, sending her flying as though she hardly weights more than a chocobo feather. If Vaan hadn't lunged forward and caught her wrist, she'd be toppling down into an endless abyss. His feet, however, aren't the sturdiest supports, and I dive forward to catch him before he sends them both to their deaths. I grit my teeth, leaning back as I try to pull up the two dangling street urchins. Cursing under my breath, I give another sharp tug, earning a startled cry from Penelo as Vaan's grip begins to slip from the jolt.
"Need a hand?"
Without waiting for an answer, Fran takes hold of Vaan's arm and the two of us drag the thief and his friend back onto the platform. I wheeze a sigh of relief, turning back to see Basch's sword in the dragon-bird's throat, black blood spilling out onto the ground. The creature gargles out a final, weak growl before collapsing onto its sliced stomach. Dark eyes roll back into its skull and Balthier frowns in disdain, adjusting the cuffs of his white sleeves.
"That was a close one," Penelo gasps out, doubled over.
"Yeah," Vaan replies, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, Shae."
"Thank Fran," I shake my head and nod toward the viera. "She's the reason you're here right now."
"Thanks to both of you," Penelo smiles, her kind eyes flickering between me and Fran. I glance up at Balthier's partner once more. She arches a white eyebrow.
"What's that look for?" I demand, assuming this is about Balthier again. "I did as you said, alright? It's all evened out for the better."
"Yes, it has," Fran says simply, sounding less annoyed than I thought she might. "For now."
"Gods, I hate foreshadowing," I sigh, jumping when a rumble shakes the ground. A waystone rises from beneath the floor, glinting in the light cast from the ground.
"Full speed ahead, I suppose," Balthier sighs, waiting for us to gather around before touching the smooth surface of the stone. In a flash, we're transported to a tunnel of golden walls and stone gates. At least, some of us were. I frown, turning to see that only Ashe and Vaan are with me.
"What happened?" I ask, looking around the enormous cavern.
"No idea," Vaan huffs. "It looks like there are more of those green paths over there. The others could have been taken to other places."
"I hope no one was sent alone," Ashe sighs, shaking her head. "There are far too many dangers in this place."
"You're the one who decided we were going," I remind her. This is hopeless. "I have no idea which way to go. This place could be huge."
"Guess we just gotta pick a path and go," Vaan mutters, eyeing each direction in hopes of spotting a clue. They look identical.
"What do you think?" I ask Ashe, crossing my arms. "Are your Dalmascan princess senses tingling?"
"What does that mean?" Ashe frowns, glancing at me before stepping up to the left path. "Let's go this way."
"So, they were," I murmur, earning a snicker from Vaan. "Shae was right yet again."
"As I recall, you've been very wrong several times," Ashe replies, stepping onto the glowing gold path and turning to look at me over her shoulder. "It seems you were wrong about Balthier, as well."
"Is that the only gossip you guys have to talk about?" I scoff. "It's all I hear about lately." Suddenly, I feel a spark of irritation. Not because of their incessant teasing, but because I know just how short-lived it will be. At the end of it all, they'll have nothing left to speak with me about. "If you want my honest opinion, it's a fling. A bit of entertainment for the road. We're not honestly expecting anything to last on either end." I shrug, tightening the laced strings holding the top of my shirt together. "Sorry to rain on your parade—just thought I'd fill you in."
"So you're using him?" Ashe half demands, immediately looking irate.
"Not at all," I shake my head. "Nor do I think he's using me. It's... difficult to explain." Huffing, I walk past her, eyes dead ahead on the next platform. "I just know it won't last; these sorts of things never survive true tribulation."
"What about you and Dern? You guys were in love, right?" Vaan asks. I snort.
"Yes, we were. But that was entirely different. Dern saved my life, set me free, and proved to me that I was worth something. Not only did I live with the man for six years, but he taught me everything I know. Balthier's provided some much-needed company and a few pick-me-ups—nothing more."
"He was the only one to go after you when you throttled Ashe and told us who you really were," Vaan points out. "Besides, he makes you laugh."
"And?" I fire back defensively. My head and my heart are screaming two garbled feelings at the same time, one wailing that I'm right and the other crying out that I'm mistaken. "You make me laugh. Basch makes me laugh. I'm not saying I'm ungrateful; I'm merely saying that we should all enjoy it while it lasts and then not be utterly destroyed when everything moves on."
"How do you know it will?" the boy challenges.
"Because," I snap, resisting the urge to punch him in the gut when he pulls on the end of my braid. "Everything's always moving and everyone's always changing."
"What's your point?" Ashe speaks up. "Are you saying that if Dern was alive, you would still be together?"
"We probably would be," I shrug, my heart panging with longing. "He was the best example of a perfect man... Not only that, but I wouldn't be here. Before I... Before he passed, my entire world consisted of he, Jonan, and Larsa—everyone else was the enemy that laid on the ground helplessly while we flew through the sky, untouchable. Our motivation was finding the treasure of joy." Pausing, I wait for Ashe to choose a new path before continuing. "I suppose it was all blissful ignorance, but those were the best times of my life."
"So, you still love him?" Vaan prods, curious as ever. Ignoring the strain in my voice and the stings in my chest, I answer.
"I don't think I'll ever stop if I'm honest. It was hardly five months ago that he passed—still feels like yesterday." I bite down on the inside of my cheek, hating myself for the words that won't stop spilling out of my mouth. "I suppose it's lonely without him, no matter who else is around. I miss waking up to that smile and falling asleep with madhu buzzing through my veins. Nothing will ever quite match up to that. Not even Balthier."
"You've hardly given him a chance," Ashe points out. I swallow hard, very uncomfortable. Why can't I make up my mind? One night all I feel is blissful adoration and the next I contemplate all the ways this could end because it will. I frown, shaking my head. Since when do these matters take any sort of importance in the forefront of her mind?
"Perhaps I'm scared to," I admit. "But it doesn't matter; I follow my gut and my gut tells me it'll end when this journey does—perhaps even before." I force a smile, glancing at the two confused, disappointed faces behind me. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd prefer if we changed the subject. Or, better yet, if we didn't speak at all."
It takes several more waystones to regroup with everyone else, and by then, we're all either exhausted or on our last nerve. Or both. Before the platform glows a flaming ball of golden light. It's so bright that it nearly blinds me the first time I see it; I choose not to look at it directly from then on.
"I've never seen this much Mist," Penelo says, awed. She turns to Fran. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Fran nods. "Thank you."
"Is that nethicite?" Ashe asks, stepping closer to the fiery golden light.
"I wonder..." Fran muses, resting a hand on her hip. Ashe frowns, thinking.
"With that much nethicite in one's grasp..." her voice trails off and Fran nods.
"You could destroy all of Ivalice, if you wished it," the viera finishes, turning to the princess. Ashe's brow furrows and she looks to the floor.
"How convenient," I mutter, stepping forward and triggering the glowing path beneath the powerful substance. The others take my moving on as their cue to leave and they follow me down the ringing road, where we stop on a final platform. "Anyone plan on staying?"
"I don't know," Balthier replies, looking around at our bright surroundings. "The lighting's quite nice in here. I might hire a painter... Do you think they travel this far out?"
"... Anyone else? No? Okay." I press my hand to the waystone in the center of our platform and feel the powerful shift of energy suck us all into another location entirely.
The corridor is dark, lit only by the dull crimson glow that casts up from the glass cut into stone floor. Odd symbols are carved into the rock walls surrounding us, cast into eerie shadows by the light. Penelo shudders, tugging on a pigtail and stepping closer to Vaan, who looks about in wonder. There's a weird sensation in the air and I can't help but feel on edge. Before us, a door of stone waits to be triggered into opening. Behind us, a waystone stands as a beacon of hope should we feel we need to turn back.
Ashe steps forward, chin high, and the door slides upward, revealing a circle of mysterious black symbols over the scarlet floor. Left with little choice, we follow her into the center of the circle. Moments after I shudder in reaction to the creepy sight, a cloaked figure dives from the ceiling. Throwing its ornate cape back, it steps to the ground, face covered by a steel mask. The creature's body is bizarre, standing like a woman with two hooved feet and the body of a stallion on her back. Its whole body is comprised of steel, accented by a yellow and red cloak, and it wields bludgeons as both weapons and arms. This thing is an Esper if I've ever seen one.
Before we have much time to think, the creature rushes forward, hissing and swinging both arms at where we once stood. The party scatters; I pull my spear free, rolling under a kick from one of the bucking hooves. Quickly, the monster fires a barrage of red lights toward Penelo, each burst into flames the moment they hit the floor.
"It is weak to ice," Fran calls, firing an arrow that does little but bounce off the creature's skin. Lowering her weapon, Fran casts a blizzard spell and I follow, feeling the ball of chilled light leave my palm and soar toward the Esper. At the last second, the creature rears, swinging at Basch. Its cloak's red color ripples away, replaced by icy blue as our spells meet it, doing absolutely nothing.
"It can change its element," I sigh, pulling Vaan back sharply to prevent a nasty blow to the head. "Right now, it's weak to fire."
"As if we couldn't tell," Vaan huffs, pushing away from me and rushing back toward the creature.
I frown. Is he upset about what I said earlier? I shake my head, trying to shrug it off. It's real life. That's just the way it is... The way it has to be. Basch swings his sword hard enough to cut through the Esper's skin and Vaan dives in to take his place, using his dagger to tear in a wider hole. The creature screams, thrashing and knocking the thief to the floor. I dash past, throwing the boy out of harm's way and ducking. When the beast lands on its feet, it's pierced by the upright blade of my spear instead of crushing me.
Enraged, the Esper shrieks and raises its arm, firing a bolt at Ashe. It pierces her arm, sparking with electricity that shocks her briefly. Basch, as defensive as ever, carves another hole and Fran and Balthier exploit it, sending arrows and bullets into the gash. Penelo heals Ashe and I roll under a bash, turning sharply to stab my spear into the beast's side. Leaking slick, black blood from its wounds, the creature cries out and lashes out once more.
I try to pull away, only to find that my spear won't release its hold on its side. Shit. I tug harder, nearly thrown across the room when the Esper thrashes, screaming as violet sparks rise around it, glimmering in the darkness of the room. Pulling harder, I twist the spear around in hopes that it will come free. I'm merely tossed to the floor, still gripping my weapon. That, however, is not the case for very much longer. Hands grip my arms, dragging me away from the bucking Esper and toward the group of onlooking people. I look over my shoulder to see Balthier arching an eyebrow.
"I should've expected that I'd have to rescue you again at some point."
"I had it under control," I scoff.
"Did you?"
A spray of purple sparks redirects our attention to the Esper. Replaced by a gleaming purple gem, the Esper morphs into a golden symbol, spinning in the center of its capsule. The gem breaks away, shattering, and we're left with nothing but the symbol. This time, Vaan looks drawn to the Esper's power. He inches toward the symbol, pausing.
"What's it like?" he asks, looking back at Ashe and Basch. "To be tied to one of these things?"
"It unlocks new power within you," Ashe replies. "Power you never you knew you possessed. The Esper seems to be the key."
Vaan eyes the symbol a moment longer before touching it. It bursts into a thousand golden sparks and Vaan watches them all fall to the ground before turning back to face us.
"First strength, then healing," I list, crossing my arms and throwing a hip out to the side. "What now?"
"The power to defend," Vaan mutters, frowning. Lost in his head. I wonder what those creatures say when you accept their "key" for the first time. I wonder what it feels like to crave that key.
"We're nearly there," Balthier says, breaking the silence finally. "Wherever there is."
"How can you tell?" Ashe asks, eyeing the door at the other side of the circle.
"That," I answer, nodding toward the door. "It screams 'ending.'"
"Then let's end this," she replies, nodding firmly and heading to the door. Balthier shakes his head, sighing.
"She has no patience for consideration, does she?"
"Is this news to you?" I retort, stepping past him to follow the determined princess.
The next area is a simple square room with four steep stone staircases that lead down to a central floor space. In the very center is a blue waystone, its cool light contrasting the reds of the floor sharply. Ashe pauses at the waystone, waiting for us to join her. I step up to her side warily, unsure of what maze we'll be taken through next. Oh well. We've gotten this far, haven't we? Vaan is the last to wander up to the group, scratching the back of his neck silently as his eyes stare at some invisible source of interest in the recesses of his mind. Closing her eyes, Ashe takes a deep breath and presses her palm to the edge of the stone.
The bright white light that consumes us is slow to fade this time, and an eerie warmth envelops me, leaving my nerves on end. When the light does fade, I realize I'm balanced on a suspended stone platform high above the world and surrounded by smoky white clouds. Everyone else is behind me, searching for any signs of familiarity. Well, almost everyone. Before us, a short distance away, stands Ashe on a round platform of her own. Gleaming symbols illuminate the ground beneath her feet as she blinks, unsure of where she is or where we've gone.
"Where is everyone?" she gasps, her voice a soft echo through the sky.
"Here!" Vaan calls, waving his arms over his head. But as the princess swivels around to find any signs of life, she looks right through us. It's almost as if...
"She can't hear us," Balthier mutters. "It's as if we've ceased to exist, erased from the traces of time."
"That can't be good," I huff, standing on the edge of the platform to get a better look.
"Fear not, princess of Dalmasca," a garbled voice says, sounding completely and utterly otherworldly. It doesn't have an echo; rather, it's almost as though the words are behind spoken directly into everyone's ears at once. "We Occuria have chosen you, and you alone." In the blink of an eye, a rushing wind of colors comes rushing through the air, swarming Ashe until they break apart, whirling into the shapes of gray figures just like Venat.
"Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca," the Occuria before her speaks, though its voice carries evenly throughout all space. "We see your heart desires power, and power most holy shall we grant. Seek you the Sun-cryst, slumb'ring star. In tower on distant shore it dreams. The mother of all nethicite, the source of its unending power. The Dynast-King, his fallow shards, coarse trinkets cut from Sun-cryst's light." Ashe frowns, hands clutched together over her chest.
"Such power exists?" she asks, brow furrowed as though she can't quite understand the words flowing from the ethereal creature before her.
"In times that are long passed away, we thought to save this Ivalice, and chose Raithwall the Dynast-King. He took the sword and cut the Cryst. Three shards he took from its gilt grasp, and so became the Dynast-King. His words and deeds run through your veins." Ashe takes a deep breath, nodding slowly.
"That's why I was given it—the Sword of Kings."
"The treaty held with kings of old is but a mem'ry, cold and still. With you we now shall treat anew, to cut a run for hist'ry's flow." The air shimmers before the Occuria, revealing a glimmering blue blade. "Now take this sword, this Treaty-Blade. Occurian seal, mark of your words. Cut deep the Cryst and seize your shards." The blade lowers toward Ashe, proving to be well over half her size as it draws nearer and solidifies into a sword of gold. "Wield Dynast-King's power! Destroy Venat!"
"But Venat— Venat is an Occurian. A being like you."
"Venat is a heretic!" The Occuria cries, its bellow rushing wind across the clouds.
"Ah, so Venat's running just like the rest of us," Balthier muses.
"The nethicite is ours to give, to chosen bearer or to none. The heretic trespassed and set the rose of knowledge in Man's hand. With imitations they profane, it is anathema to us. We give you now the Stone and task. Administer judgment: destroy them all!"
"Judgment?" Ashe repeats, confused yet again. Startled, she turns to face something no one can see except for her, and I'm willing to bet all I own that she's seeing Rasler. "Destroy them all? The Empire?"
"The humes ever skew hist'ry's weave. With haste they move through too-short lives. Driven to err by base desires, t'ward waste and wasting on they run. Undying, we Occuria light the path for wayward sons of Man. Oft did we pass judgment on them so that Ivalice might endure. Eternal, we are hist'ry's stewards, to set the course and keep it true. The chosen is our hand, our fist, to let live some and crush the rest."
"Princess, you have been chosen. Take revenge against those who stole your kingdom. Fulfill your role as savior. Attain to your birthright!"
Ashe reaches forward hesitantly and grasps the blade, only for a bright beam of light to blind us all over again. In a split second, both the Occuria and the fog dissipate, leaving nothing but a glimmering path to Ashelia and her platform behind. Vaan's the first to run, bolting across the walkway to meet the princess.
"Ashe!" Vaan skids to a stop before Ashe, scowling. "What's with these Occuria? What gives them the right to tell you what to do?"
"Will you take revenge as they ask?" Fran asks, stepping closer.
"Huh?" Ashe looks up sharply, snapping out of her daze.
"We heard the Occuria speak," Basch says, turning to Fran. "They may be gods, but we are the arbiters of our destiny." Firmly, he nods before looking at Ashe. "Your Highness, I am against this. The Empire must pay, but destruction?"
"Um..." Penelo speaks up, stepping up to my side. "Does anyone know what happened to Doctor Cid? Wasn't he saying he'd be here?"
"He should've arrived by now," Basch murmurs. I groan, rubbing my face with my hands in frustration. That damn fool...
"And I should've realized by now," Balthier speaks up, sighing and resting his hands on his hips. "He's not coming. He laid out the bait, and we bit. Remember what he said?"
"He wanted Ashe to get another Stone," I reply, shaking my head. "He wanted that all along." Balthier nods, raising an eyebrow.
"Precisely. That's why he flaunted his nethicite and reeled us in with his stories about Giruvegan. All to bring Ashe to the Occuria."
"But wait," Penelo frowns. "If we got ahold of the nethicite, wouldn't that be bad for the Empire?"
"Maybe he wants to see what happens when foes with nethicite collide?" Balthier suggests. "That'd be just like Doctor Cid."
"I've... decided," Ashe says, looking. "I will search out the Sun-cryst."
Nodding, Basch turns on his heels and heads back the way we came, where a waystone now awaits us. These damned gods... Always toying with us. Nearly everyone has left before Balthier speaks again.
"'History is built by our hands.' That's his favorite line," he mutters. Ashe pauses, holding the massive Treaty Blade. "He'd never stand by and watch the Occuria's Stones shape things." Balthier sighs, staring up at the statue from which the Occuria came. "So... he was talking to Venat all along. He wasn't mad at all then, was he?" he scoffs, turning on his heels and starting after the others.
"I doubt I'd go that far," I huff, tossing Ashe a glance before following the group to the waystone.
The waystone carries us back to the inner workings of the temple, as was predicted, and there Basch begins to voice his thoughts as Fran paces back and forth.
"In tower on distant shore dreams the Sun-cryst," he repeats, turning to the viera. "Do these words mean aught to you?" Fran shakes her head, eyes greeting the smooth floor.
"Didn't Reddas say he was going to follow some 'other course?' Maybe he found out something that can help."
"And how do you expect us to contact a man at sea?" I counter, placing my hands on my hips. Balthier shakes his head, pacing past the entire group.
"I'd rather stay out of that sky pirate's debt, thank you."
"What's wrong with Reddas?" Vaan demands, crossing his arms. "I mean, if you can't trust your own kind, who can you trust?"
"You're an expert on pirating now, are you?" Balthier replies sharply, eyeing Vaan.
"Well, I mean—"
"Oh dear," I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "We've failed miserably, Balthier."