Consciousness came slowly to me. Though my stomach, jaw and shoulder hurt tremendously, I was barely injured. I bent to sit up, cradling my head, feeling my ears brush against a kind of ceiling. I opened my eyes, and couldn't believe it. I was back on the Amun-Yashk. I spotted Risoon sitting over in a corner on a chair. Khaelim and Whaul were not present, I could only assume that Risoon had not wanted them there. She got up, slowly. New bandages were around her leg, and she leaned against the chair for support. She looked at me, but with her face and not her eyes. 'You' she said softly, 'are such a fool.' With that, she left the room. I cast my eyes downwards. A bandage was around the place where Risoon's bolt had grazed me, but I was still covered in blood. A small cry escaped me. I had shattered everything I had built since leaving Nabudis. How could they forgive me? I could not blame Risoon. I was not angry at her. But was she angry at me? Were Whaul and Khaelim angry with me? I felt like a betrayer, a traitor, yet they bought me back onto their ship, and bandaged my wounds. It would have made more sense if they had left me for the Hyenas. I at least, would have felt better if they had. I tried to stand, but my legs collapsed under me, and I fell to the floor and wept.

'I am…A fool…' I whispered. The airship was moving, but I did not have the strength to see where we were going. I slammed my fist against the floor, 'Dammit! Damn it all!' I hunched my shoulders, angry at myself, furious. After they had done so much for me, I cast them away, uncaring. So stupid.

'I am…' I then whispered, maybe just so they could at least in spirit forgive me, 'I am so sorry…' 'Well that…Is a nice thing to know' 'Risoon?' 'Aye' 'I…' I chuckled bitterly, 'Am a fool.' 'You are.' She stood above me, arms crossed over a shiny new breastplate, frowning. I looked up at her, but could only bring myself to move my head. The rest of me stayed limp, unmoving. 'You shouldn't forgive me. Not after that which I have done.' I said, without a smile. 'Too bad.' 'What?' Whaul entered the room 'We already have.' 'Wh…Why?' I stuttered. What reason had I given them? 'I don't understand, why do you…' 'Huh. You Viera, not so diff'rent after all…' Khaelim grunted, leaning against the doorframe. Tears sprang into my eyes. 'I seem to be…' I began, 'Doing a lot of crying lately…' 'And that,' relied Risoon, with one eyebrow raised, 'Does not surprise me.'

'Humes… are so strange…' I smiled weakly, wiping my eyes with the heel of my palm. Khaelim offered his hand. 'Get up now, we' got rescuin' ta do!' I took it, and he pulled me to my feet. My legs were still shaky, I saw myself in the mirror that was on the opposite wall and laughed. A bright purple-and-blue bruise had formed on my chin and the right side of my face. It looked absurd, next to my pale scar from Nabudis. 'Gave yer' a good whack there, Captain!' Khaelim exclaimed. Risoon smiled slyly. 'She needed some sense knocked into her' 'Aye, that I did.'

I stumbled to the deck, leaning on Khaelim's shoulder. 'Risoon…Thank you' She grinned at that. 'My pleasure.'

'How little I understand. This world through Aer's eyes had seemed clear and easy to decipher, but now seeing through my own eyes I see that it is not.' I philosophized, recalling my time with him. As always, my heart gave a jerk. 'Not as simple as the Viera take us to be, are we?' Risoon asked, her hands on the wheel, her eyes not moving from the windscreen. 'The Viera never thought you simple- that is why they live in seclusion.' 'You speak as though you weren't one' Whaul told me, his arms crossed over his barrel chest. I chuckled. 'I am not, not anymore. I forsook my race when I came here. And I' a small smile breached my lips, 'Have no regrets about leaving. But I do have regrets about…other things.' 'Tweren't yer fault Djri, there's no way with tha' many soldiers…' Khaelim said, before I could lament on the subject of Eyoh. 'That's what you say…' I said quietly, the smile now turning bitter.

'We will never be able to get near Arcades' Risoon said abruptly. 'Why ever not?' I asked. Surely our passage would not be barred? 'It would seem we killed more men than legally stated for self-defense.' 'We are wanted in Archadia!?' 'Most of Archadia.' 'Then where shall we go, if we cannot go straight there?' Risoon was suddenly quiet. 'Balfonheim.' Said Whaul quietly. Balfonheim Port? That was where… 'I haven't been to Balfonheim in ten years.' Said Risoon, never taking her eyes from the sky ahead. It was then I realized what in essence I was asking Risoon to do.

It is hard, to confront ones fear. Risoon had left Balfonheim to seek new life as a sky-pirate after a series of events that got her alienated from her home town. There was very likely still a barman who knew her name there, let alone that one pirate…

I looked to Whaul, seeking answers. He stared into my eyes, his expression unreadable, but yet…I may have detected the slightest… Gratitude? Was he grateful that Risoon was finally going back, because of me? 'Humes…Are so strange, still.' I said to myself quietly. 'Tell me 'bout it' grumbled Khaelim.

We drew into the Aerodrome, and though I pretended to be interested in the incoming airships, I could see clearly that Risoon's knuckles were turning white. 'Shall you need to see a healer, when we enter town?' I asked her, feigning concern for her leg. 'Nay, I am fine. 'Tis basically healed. No need.' She said, quickly. A nervous Risoon? That was unusual. Whaul squeezed her shoulder slightly, in support. The ship gave a slight lurch and banged against the wall next to us, where we had drawn in to dock. I could hear Khaelim cursing from the engine room. Risoon hardly noticed- I smiled at her understandingly. A novice mistake was easy to make when you were nervous. The engines powered down, the loud roar becoming a dull whirr. 'She all righ' cap'in?' Khaelim asked, appearing in the doorway. Risoon nodded frantically, and took a deep breath, calming herself. She then stood up so quickly her leg almost gave way, and her palm crashed down on Whaul's shoulder for support. He groaned and buckled slightly, but then stood straight and tall again. Risoon grimaced, and then straightened her back, becoming her proud persona once again. She walked stiffly from the bridge, Whaul following her silently. Khaelim clapped me on the shoulder. 'Now's the time Djri, time fer' action. One step in front o' the next, we're gonna get 'er back. You'll see.' 'Aye. Aye!' I said, determined once more. They were doing this for Eyoh, we were all doing it for that little Hume child, and by the gods we would save her!

I had only been to the Port at Balfonheim a couple of times in my years in the Hume world, but had always found it a bustling place. Built by the sea, the harbor was full of burly sea pirates, and people longing for the freedom of the ocean. I had never seen the attractiveness of travelling the water- the sky had always held more hope, more promise for me, but I had to admit, the glittering blue ocean was beautiful. Another Viera walked past, sparing one stern glance in my direction, and then walking on. I smiled. So stoic, how different I had become. Risoon walked ahead. 'I should like to be leaving as soon as possible' she said, but Whaul stopped her. 'We didn't stop for supplies in Rabanastre' he said quietly, 'We need to restock.' Risoon set her jaw, but said nothing in opposition. 'I'll go with Khaelim, should you like to do something else' he added. Khaelim was about to say something, but a determined glance from Whaul set him straight. 'Righ' I was needin' some potions…' he said, turning to leave. Whaul looked at me, and I knew what he wanted me to do. Then he turned and walked towards the main street with Khaelim.

I looked over at Risoon. She seemed calm, but her eyes said otherwise. 'Chin up' I said to her, and she gasped, as if waking from a trance. 'We' I said carefully, 'are going to the Whitecap. You need a drink.' She said nothing, but began a slow walk ahead. I followed, walking beside her. 'It is beautiful here' I said, wanting to get her to speak, though it wasn't what I really wanted to do. As much as Risoon, I wanted to get on the move. But she needed to see that memories would stay memories.

That, at least, had been what I had originally hoped.

'Serpentwyne' Said Risoon, immediately ordering the strongest cocktail on the menu as we sat down. The maid nodded, jotting it down on her notepad. 'Anything fer' ye, Ma'am?' she asked me, being formal. It was respect I hardly wanted, but it seemed like she had seen Viera before, after all. 'Do you by any chance import Bhujerban Madhu?' I asked, and the girl nodded enthusiastically. 'A right good drink, that one' she said, before scribbling it down and rushing back to the counter. 'This is almost painful' Risoon said, in a shaky tone. I looked her in the eye. 'I am telling you now. You helped me get over my troubles, now it is my turn. We are in Balfonheim. You once worked here. No-one has noticed you. It is fine' 'A-aye' the barmaid returned with our drinks, mine in a tall glass, Risoon's in a flat beer mug. Risoon grabbed hers, taking an almighty swig. I raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. She certainly drank like the male sky-pirate she was pretending to be. I drew my forefinger around the edge of my glass, listening to the small whine it made, not drinking. I had ordered to be polite, but I did not need my thoughts clouded right now. Then we were interrupted. 'Hey, you two wouldn't happen to be them two legendary sky pirates, that one with the Viera partner was in here last year, are ye?' 'No.' Risoon said. 'Simply friends, sitting down for a drink.' The man who asked the question frowned. He was a large man, with a pot belly, and an eternal sneer on his face. Risoon had not looked up at him. 'Dunno, you's seem to be pretty tight, sure you never been here before?' he continued to pester us, leaning in close to the table. Risoon mulled over her drink. 'No, you are surely mistaken. I have not been in these parts in many a long year, and my friend here is the same.' She waved him off with her hand, 'now if you excuse us, we just want a quiet drink.' The man frowned even more. 'You ain't that other sky pirate who's wanted in these parts then, are ye?' he asked us. I could see the glint in his eye that came when a greedy Hume thought of money. Risoon kept her eye on her glass. 'No. Go away.' I was beginning to tire of the man too. His facial expression twisted. 'Listen here you insolent…' he began, and slammed his palms down loudly on the table, knocking over the glasses which sat there. The whole bar went silent. Risoon raised her head, her blonde hair falling in front of her eyes. Her eyebrows were sharply downturned. She looked the man straight in the eye, and I saw a slight expression of surprise flicker across her face for a second. The other man responded in a far more obvious fashion. 'It's you!' he exclaimed loudly, pointing a stubby finger at Risoon, who regarded him with calm malice. 'You're that wench!' he continued, grabbing Risoon by the shirtfront and hauling her to his eye level. I heard a few gasps pass around the room. I was about to strike him, when Risoon shot me a look that told me to stay where I was. She didn't move, and allowed him to keep shouting in her face, for all the world acting like she didn't know what he was talking about. 'I am afraid you must be mistaking me for someone el-' she began to say, but the big man shook her into silence. 'You know what happened to me after that night? Me crew abandoned me! I was sold out as a girl beater, put clean outta the loop!' Risoon made the mistake of letting a smile of satisfaction cross her face. This he saw, and knew he was right. Before I could do anything, he had thrown Risoon through a table. The bar erupted into chaos. There was shouting, and screaming, and people running about. Some started fights, others ran. I heard the distinct sound of a bottle smashing, and I had to duck as a man was thrown over my head by a large Seeq. The big man was slowly walking toward Risoon, a look of hatred on his face. Risoon picked herself up from the debris, wiping a sliver of blood from the corner of her mouth, dusting splinters from her sleeves. 'I've been waiting a looong time to do this!' said the pirate, looking at her with hunger in his eyes. Risoon looked disgusted, and lifted her chin. 'Yes, I think I owe it to you.' She said, kicking him in the stomach. He groaned, and doubled backwards. 'Bitch!' He spat at her, and then raised his flabby hands, balled into fists. He took a swing at Risoon, the first of which missed, the second striking her across the cheek. He was fast, for a big man. She stumbled backwards, hissing as she landed hard on her bad leg. His eyes flickered. This was bad. Now he knew where she was weak. I had to dodge as a broken glass bottle swung near to my arm, and moved towards the window. The big Pirate took a step forward, aiming punches at Risoon's head, which she dodged by swinging this way and that, almost limply. Her expression was hard. Her crossbow was lying discarded on the floor. I realized she wasn't simply trying to beat him- she had something to prove. She wanted to prove her equality to this barbarian. His next swing missed her closely, and she ducked in to punch him in the gut, but then was surprised when he deftly sideswiped her bad leg. Her eyes widened for a second, as her leg collapsed and she let out a short gasp of agony. 'I've got you now girlie' he said above the raging crowd, standing over her and grinning a skuzzy smile. Risoon narrowed her eyes. I saw her true stature return, the proud, fearless Risoon. I smiled. She stood up as he came closer, and she looked him in the eyes, intense, her green eyes fiery. She was at least a foot shorter than him, but he still took a step back. 'I'm tired of you' she said, 'I'm tired of seeing your ugly face in my nightmares, Im tired of running and pretending' she unbuckled her chest armor and let it fall to the floor with an odd clunk, showing her physique 'I'm the girl you said would never be a sky-pirate, you remember that?' the surprise in his eyes had turned to… fear? He took a feeble swing at her, which she blocked directly, rather than dodging. 'Well look who I am now!'

Then she kicked him, straight in the chin. The pirate fell over backwards, landing with a resounding thump. The bar went silent again, as everyone turned to see Risoon. She stood tall, swinging like a fighter, puffing. She had put every ounce of her being into that. And she had knocked him out cold with a single kick. People stared, as she looked down upon the man who had been her constant lament for a decade. I smiled, then put my hands together and began to clap. The customers of the White Cap began cheering, roaring, clapping and waving their hands. Risoon raised her head, bewildered at first, and then she smiled. It was a true smile, of triumph, and of satisfaction. 'I don't really know if what I did today was right, in the eyes of the gods,' she began, loud to overcome the crowd, 'But it certainly made me feel better!' She grinned and the crowd laughed. A Bangaa slapped her on the back and congratulated her. A young woman praised her, for showing bravery, 'That guys the slimiest , the worst! Thank ye fer that. In any case, it made us feel better too!' she said, looking inspired. Several people recommended a medal- Turns out he had been a right trouble to the bar for many a year. The bartender offered her a drink. Risoon looked over at me. 'Thank you' she mouthed, as the excited crowd enveloped her. Then Khaelim and Whaul walked through the door, and I had to laugh. Whaul looked confused, but Khaelim shook his head, and grinned toothily. 'What'd we miss now!?'

By the fireside, Khaelim snored loudly. We hadn't dared to stay in Balfonheim much longer, as the wild cheering for Risoon and parading around the streets was starting to gather Imperial attention. Risoon too, lay asleep, peaceful and for once, calm. 'Like a weight's been lifted' said Whaul, starting at her through the firelight. I nodded. Whaul couldn't sleep, he was too alert, had too much to think about. He sat still and silent for awhile, then asked cautiously, 'Do you think it was right…To make her do that?' he referred to her revelation to the crowd of the White Cap. I shrugged. 'She would have to do it sometime, and perhaps it was better that it was by her own hand.' He nodded, as if satisfied. 'It's taken me ten years to get her back to Balfonheim, let alone this…' He mulled it over, his eyes slate-like, but bright and full of the red light of the flames. 'Thank you' he said to me, ' if it weren't for you, none of this would have happened. Thanks to you, she's finally comfortable with who she is.' I smiled gazing at the fire. 'You are most welcome. But it is still I who should be thanking you…' Whaul shook his head. 'You've repaid us for picking you up, and none of us regret that. Now we just have to find Eyoh and…Complete the family.' He smiled. 'It's been a long time since Risoon and I have done something like this, together… And normally when I tried to talk some sense into her, there'd be yelling, and fighting, there was this one time she stomped out of the ship in Salika, got into a ton of trouble!' he laughed. It was nice to see him come out of his shell, for once. I could tell he was often worried for Risoon, and now that she was happy, he was happy as well. I looked about, we were in the Cerobi Steppe, but it seemed that the creatures here were not particularly nocturnal and there was barely any movement around. Peaceful. Perhaps tonight, I would be able to sleep as well.

We set off early, the morning fog still thick in the air. I would inform the others when we were coming near to a Ringwyrm, or Entite, so that we may avoid any conflict. It was easier to see them across the moderately flat lands and rolling hills. We eventually came to stop for rest beneath a large windmill somewhere near to the Tchita Uplands. A Moogle had been so kind as to point us in the right direction- It seemed that the word of Risoon's actions had spread and they were happy to help. This was not altogether good news for us- we didn't want any unneeded attention, but it could not be helped. I did wonder how we were going to get into the city of Archades itself, though. Aer had made a point of not travelling these regions on foot- the beasts here were far stronger than those in most other areas of Ivalice. As soon as we had sat down I was itching to keep moving. Eyoh felt so close, and I could see the great chasm between the rock faces that lead to the Tchita uplands. 'After we make our way through the uplands,' said Risoon, pointing to a map we had purchased for a few Gil a while back, 'We make our way through here' she said, her finger pointing towards a name next to a long tunnel system. 'Sochen Cave Palace…' I murmured- I had never heard of that place. The Moogle working above us, however, stopped. 'You're not going through there, are you Kupo?' he exclaimed, seeming slightly horrified. 'Aye, why not?' I said. It was merely a cave, was it not? 'There have been terrible monster sightings lately, oh Kupo, I thought you were simply travelers going to Phon!' his dark purple wings fluttered in an erratic fashion, I was quite unsure of whether he was to take flight or fall from the mill itself! Putting his wrench down, he gently floated down to us. 'Sochen's dangerous! Only the bravest adventurers go near, wouldn't you rather take an airship now, Kupo?' 'Nay, we've seen our share of airships, wouldn't you say Djri?' Risoon said to me, raising an eyebrow. 'Boy, these guys are either really brave or really stupid Kupopo…' I heard the Moogle mutter as he got back to his work- Khaelim shot him a dirty look, but the Moogle did not seem to notice. Whaul leaned over the map, studying it carefully. 'There's definitely no other way' he concluded, sitting back with a sigh. 'Then shall we go?' I asked, standing up, 'if we die, at least we can say we tried.'

At this, the Moogle simply snorted.

In the least, the journey through the Tchita uplands went without unexpected incident. The creatures we found there were far weaker than any in the Cerobi Steppe, and the terrain was easily passable, tall rolling hills and small, twisted trees. Temple ruins scattered the land, but never barred any path. It was easy to look at these while walking, the stone crumbling away, Malboro nests deeply settled in the broken shadows. In the lack of distractions, however, my mind once again wandered to Eyoh. I remembered how the markings around her eyes had glowed in Paramina and Ozmone, and that terrible rift in the wall. It wasn't her own power, she was too small and young, and the nightmares she complained about also unsettled me. I wondered exactly what had been done to her, once more. 'Touched by… The Nethicite…' I murmured. Of course what Jote had said was true, the wood did not lie. No what she would seem. And Halen. What was this "Halen"? A creature I could not see, could barely sense, had no smell that my nose could detect. A creature that to me, only existed in sound, and in mist. It seemed…

Why, it almost seemed like some sort of ghost, or even, a god!

Why would it be with Eyoh? What about a small Hume child, could appeal to a god? She was unfortunate, cursed by her destiny, as we all are. I fingered my ring, thinking of Him, but then not. 'I won't lose her like I lost you' it was selfish, but I didn't want that terrible pain again.

Risoon, at the front of the group, stopped us. 'Here we are.'

Sochen seemed like an ordinary cave, at first, with long stalactites and stalagmites, and barrels of horrendous zombies. Cutting these creatures down one by one was like being a machine, you didn't think, you only slew. Of course, stronger monsters bared their heads. Large, froglike creatures with great horns erupting from their slimy heads. Cutting them down needed more thought, and every sword blow echoed painfully in the dark depths. It all seemed rather normal, until we reached the first door. Risoon pushed through it carefully, checking to see if any monsters would attack, but the great hall was terribly empty. The large, domed ceiling seemed as though it could cave in at any moment, and my heart beat fast- these walls were so like the dark corridors of Nabudis. The mist here was stale, silent. It did not move at all. We crossed the first chamber slowly, reaching for the doors, and into the corridors. An image flashed in my mind, of men, lying dead, pillars smashed, blood on the ground, mist swirling…

Let me out, Djri…

I froze. The others walked on for a second, but turned back to look. My head hurt, I raised my hands to it as the pain split through my skull. There was a creature inside me.

I can feel your fear… It's all I need…

There was a demon in me. And it was going to get out.

'Djri… Are you alright?' asked Whaul, reaching out a hand. I shrank back into the shadows. 'Don't come near me!' I yelled, in a voice that wasn't my own. 'It's here…I can hear it inside me!' I stumbled backwards. 'What is it?' my head hurt even more, I ran past them, into the cavern ahead, past the dead body of a Bangaa who lay strewn across the way.

I am Echt, Djri… Let me be free…

I screamed, trying not to fall to my knees. The others ran into the room, they all looked scared, but all I could see were bodies. Hundreds of dead bodies. Images of Nabudis swarmed into my mind, I could not hold them back. The mist swirled in the air, it burned, it drove me insane!

'AAAAAAAAAAARGGGHHH!!!'

'FREE!!!'