Stumbling forward, I blacked out for a second, and when I regained consciousness, the world was burning. I could not take the pain, the mist around me was like a fire, like in Nabudis. Breathing it was like inhaling pepper sauce, and I choked, holding my throat, unable to pay much attention to anything else. I could hear Risoon and Whaul gasp, Khaelim exclaim 'Wha' in the name of the Dynast King!?!' I blinked hard, trying to regain my senses, but all I could think of were broken bodies, and smashed pillars, and the corpse of the one I had held very dear… 'Stop it! Stop it please!' I yelled, my fingernails clawing into my scalp. I could not imagine what I looked like right then, but imagined I must be frightful.

Then, I was made aware of the presence looming over me, like the shadow of a great beast. I gasped at the power, the mist emanating from it. I turned around quickly, and there it was.

The terrible mist creature, which in my mind had called itself Echt.

It towered above us, the mist around it swirling, so strong that we could see the orange spirals billowing off it like steam from a coal train. It had no eyes that we could see, simply a helm, with six horns flaring away from the face, and a single gem in the centre. Its entire entity was armored; it had four arms, one pair each holding a long sword much like my own. Its chest continued down, and its body elongated, like a serpent. Where there was no armor, there was simply fetid, grey flesh. It stood there, facing us. I blinked, wondering how, why, what this creature was.

Djri…

It echoed again, and I felt exposed, like it were peering into my soul. Risoon stood motionless beside me; Whaul stood in front of her to protect her and Khaelim snarled, his long metal pole ready to fight the beast. I stared into the gem in the centre of its helmet. What I saw was simply my own reflection in a fish-eye lens. But I suppose, that was what I found the most frightening.

The creature…Had been resurrected by me.

It was Khaelim who first came to action. His pole held at a diagonal, he attacked the creature- This "Echt" with a strong slash. The creature blocked the attack with a swipe of his sword, and Khaelim leapt backwards, defending as the creature began pummeling him in response. Several crossbow bolts cracked against the creature's armor, bouncing off harmlessly like twigs. Risoon growled, and leapt at Echt, reloading as fast as she could. It was Whaul who drew the first blood, Echt having focused it's swords on Khaelim and Risoon, he struck it in a small point where its armor did not cover its rotten, sandpaper skin. Echt let out a howl of pain, and smashed him aside with its spare fists. Whaul slid on his back before colliding with a wall, and got up woozily, but the damage was done. Echt was a mortal creature- It's blood, a deep crimson, spiraled the floor. I blinked. What was I doing? I drew my Long sword, but fighting the creature…It seem almost wrong. Like trying to maim myself from the outside. But then I remembered- Eyoh. Gritting my teeth, I yelled and ran at it. I had no idea what I was doing, but drawing my sword along the ground, sparks flying off its edge, I leapt and slashed at its exposed neck. Suddenly I was buffeted aside by one of its four arms- It caught me in the stomach, and I hit the wall hard, winded. Getting up slowly, I picked splinters of the shattered stone from my arm. I looked up in time to see Khaelim hit it from behind and dent its armor, causing the front part of its helm to fall away. I gasped. Where there should have been a face, there was only a terrible, great mouth, with horribly pointed teeth, saliva dripping in ropes from its maw. It screeched, and the suddenly, Khaelim was yelling in pain. Its sword had taken a huge chunk from his arm, and blood spurted from it, not red, but almost bright orange. He clutched at it, trying to stem the flow, but to no avail. He stumbled, and fell. 'Khaelim!' Risoon yelled, before having to swiftly dodge a hammer blow from the remaining arms. They were too close to the battle, I realized. I ran to Khaelim, dropping my sword with a clatter to the ground. 'No…' I breathed, as I saw his eyes go hazy. 'No! You're not going to-' My voice choked up, I couldn't say that horrible word, so instead, I got to his side and screamed, canted magicks, 'CURAGA! REGEN, RAISE!'. In desperation I placed a phoenix down on the wound.

I counted down the seconds slowly, and then… 'Thank the gods…' I breathed, as the bleeding stopped and the wound sealed. Khaelim lost consciousness, but at least he had not died. I could not heal the wound further myself though. Dragging Khaelim to a pillar, I turned to watch Risoon and Whaul. Whaul's spear was shining with the black creatures blood- Risoon had run out of bolts entirely. I ran to them, and Risoon yelled 'The Arms! Distract it!' I had no sword, so instead tried punching it feebly in the gut. It swung its arms at me, as if I were an annoying pest. Echt snarled, it's terrible mouth hissing as its thought- speak tried to enter my mind, but I would not let it in. Risoon and Whaul had a plan, and I could not let myself be weakened by the monster.

Then, Risoon and Whaul chose to put their plan into action- and I watched as it worked beautifully.

Whaul had positioned himself near the creature, his arms open ready. Risoon was some distance away- and then she began running. Whaul's long spear was in her hands, and she held it beside her like a javelin. Leaping into Whaul's clasped together hands, he vaulted her right towards the creatures head, and she struck Whaul's spear deep into Echt's neck, so far that it came out the other side. The creature fell backwards, trying to scream with its ruined vocal chords.

Whaul jumped onto its chest, and struck with all his might at the armor, denting it in a fair way, until Risoon threw him the spear and he slammed it down into the crevasse. And the creature died.

But it had something to say before it did so.

I still live within…

Only the need to get Khaelim medical attention prevented me from sobbing at those words.

'He's breathing, but this wound is not good. He's lost a lot of muscle tissue…' Risoon fretted over Khaelim's arm wound. 'This can never be undone. Nor healed. I suppose he's lucky to be alive, but he needs better medical attention than we can give him.' Khaelim's arm looked…terrible. Where there should have been muscle, there was a great indentation in his skin, like something had taken a bite out of him and it had healed over. Blood had dried and formed a thick crust across his scales, and he was pale from the loss of so much fluid. Khaelim really was lucky to be alive. I just hoped he would think so too. I had done all that I could, for my healing magicks… Had completely and utterly failed. It was like I had been simply yelling nonsense, for all the good it did to him. 'If only I had done more…' I whispered. Whaul put a hand on my shoulder. 'You did all you could. He's alive. That's what matters.' Risoon stood. 'I'll run for help. You two stay back here and try get him as far through the caves as you can. Hopefully there will be someone in Old Archades that can help us.' I nodded. She was easily the fastest runner. Risoon gave us a salute, and dashed off as fast as her legs could carry her. Whaul put an arm beneath Khaelim's back. 'We won't be able to make a stretcher here, so we'll have to carry him as best we can. At least the wound is closed, so he won't bleed anymore, but too jagged movements may cause worse to him.' 'Aye.' I helped him lift Khaelim's body from the ground. He was heavy, but not too heavy. Slowly, we edged toward the door. 'I hope that we do not encounter any more monsters…We could not withstand another attack' I said, scanning ahead, but I could not see anything. This at least, was good news. Taking slow steps, Whaul and I carried the unconscious Bangaa through the looming caverns of Sochen.

We marched in silence, trying not to jostle Khaelim too much- he had woken up for a second just a little earlier, to grumble and then, as soon as it happened, he drifted out of consciousness again. 'Aer' Whaul said suddenly, startling me out of my daze. I turned to look at him quickly, but he stared ahead, kept walking in a slow march. 'What… What of him?' I asked warily. Whaul looked down. 'How did you know…You loved him?' he asked, unsure of himself. My heart gave a slight whisper, but I continued my steady beat. 'I…' I began, but didn't know what to say. I had simply… Felt it, felt that it was right. 'I suppose, it was because he was kind, and he cared for me' I replied, slowly, grunting slightly and readjusting Khaelim's weight. Whaul nodded purposefully. Then he looked down. I smiled, a very small smile. 'You love Risoon' I said. Whaul laughed. 'Is tact in the Viera vocabulary?' I shook my head. I hadn't realized I was being abrupt. Whaul smiled, but with his eyes. I could tell he was thinking of her. 'I don't know how to tell her' he said, staring off through the dark tunnels. 'Whenever I look at her, I just feel this… You know. And yet, whenever I try to express it, I cannot say what I need.' 'Ah. She…Does like you, you know' I said, and his eyes opened wide. Obviously, he had not known after all. 'Can you tell? Does she really!?' he asked hurriedly, looking at me, a huge smile the like of which I had never seen him wear plastered on his face. I nodded, remembering how she had looked at him after reuniting at Ozmone. Whaul turned back to the path. 'Thank you.' He said, and I smiled. Hume love was about the most beautiful yet confusing of all the races of Ivalice.

A final glittering cavern awaited us near the exit. Unlike the other areas, it was a hospitable place, devoid of creatures. It was here that Risoon met us, dragging with her a tall, Dark haired man. As she saw us, a look of relief came to her face, followed, by a fluttering of eyelids. Right there, Risoon collapsed, face first, to the ground. Whaul and I set Khaelim down as gently as we could, and he rushed to her side. The man watched calmly, nodded. 'He was a sight when he found me, we ran all the way here, I am not surprised by the sudden…Collapse in his condition.' I did not bother saying anything of Risoon's identity, but thankfully he was not looking at her and Whaul when Whaul hugged her and stroked her hair behind us. He nodded to Khaelim. 'Is this the one? Let me see.' I guided him over to where Khaelim lay. He flinched, seeing the damage that had been done to his arm. 'At a glance I can tell this muscle tissue is irreplaceable, even with the best of healers. His arm will never work the same way again.' He looked at Khaelim's skin, knelt and stretched it between his fingers. It looked frightfully pale. 'He lost much blood, but he is recovering. It may take a few days, but he will live.' Khaelim groaned. 'Am I okay, doc?' he mumbled, barely conscious. I smiled, relief flooding over me. 'You shall be fine.' 'Musta been some battle… I can't feel me' arm.' 'You were lucky it didn't come right off, Bangaa' the dark-haired man said, standing. 'You need to see a professional to fix any external damage, and you've lost a lot of blood. You may feel faint for a while. Do not try to do too much.'

To my surprise, the Hume then turned to leave, as if his job were done. I frowned. 'Excuse me. Is there nothing more you can do for our friend?' He looked back, almost a look of contempt in his eye, as if it were an offence to use his time further. 'It is best that you find a medic to help soothe the wound. Now if you excuse me, I have matters to attend to.' I paused as he walked away. 'Thank you…' I murmured, though it was an effort. Whaul and Risoon rushed over, as the man left without a second glance.

Risoon's chops were sufficient enough to get us through to new Archades without effort, and though Khaelim insisted that he was fine to walk, Whaul and I carried him anyway. I glanced around the tall sky-scrapers, the fauna hanging off them like jewelry. My keen eyes spotted out Draklor long before we neared Nibelheim. We stopped at a healer to get Khaelim seen to, but I could not wait inside. Restless, I watched the crowd going about their daily deeds, foolishly obsessed with only wealth and glory. Resting my elbows on my knees, I gazed about the Humes, gathering knowledge, as they did. Something struck me. 'Excuse me' I said to a young man without getting up, 'Do you know of anything happening at Draklor?' the man looked startled, as though he expected me to be mute. Sometimes it was frustrating to be one of my kind in this land. 'a-ah, yes Ma'am' he said, 'they've been real secretive lately, and there have been a lot of fires, and explosions… The guards are patrolling the area more than normal…' He stared at me for a second longer, so I hastily gave him a handful of Gil, for I did not have any chops myself. He seemed pleased enough, and walked away swiftly. I wondered what his stare was for a second, before I heard the same voice talking- 'Over there, Faram, outside the healers. She's a perfect match!' I swore under my breath. There was still a warrant out for mine and the others arrest. I ducked into the healers just as the others emerged. 'We must go' I breathed, before trying to walk as nonchalantly as possible to the aerodrome. The Air-taxi was to our left though, so we re-routed towards it. 'Go, quickly!' I hissed, ushering them in. Risoon waved a sandalwood chop in front of the drivers face; 'Step on it, my good man.'

There was a short bump and a jolt as the air-taxi raised from the platform, and its engines started. I breathed out a held sigh of relief. Getting arrested would not help my cause. I needed to find Eyoh.

'I am coming, Eyoh' I whispered, as I watched the tall Archadian buildings whiz by. 'I am coming, my sister.'

Almost halfway, Risoon shot a bolt through the dark screen separating the driver from the passenger seating. The air-taxi wobbled slightly as the man at the wheel jerked in surprise, but by then my sword was at his throat. After all, we were already fugitives. "Wh-what do you want?" he stammered nervously, his Adam's apple bobbing above my blade. 'You will take us to Draklor' I said, putting every inch of menace into my voice as a I could, 'Swiftly. No interruptions, do you understand? Once we are there, we will let you leave.' The man nodded. It was better that he was fearful rather than resistant, or I would have to kill him if he tried anything. The ship began ascending as we headed towards the higher reaches of Archades. Khaelim and Whaul didn't react in the slightest- after all, a sky pirate had no morals when it came to getting their way. Risoon sat back, but I did not allow my blade to rest. The driver was too slow, however. 'Land. There. You're getting out.' The driver looked more fearful, as if he expected us to kill him when we landed. Which was fair, I suppose. The ship drew to a stop just along a ledge beside a tall sky-scraper. The driver got out. I moved around and sat in his seat, steering the ship away with one hand as I got into place. Whaul looked confused, and shot a glance to Risoon. She shrugged. 'Believe me' I said, whilst accelerating to top speed, 'I do know how to fly.' I pushed forwards, the buildings rushing past at a break-neck pace. Gods, how long it had been since I'd flown, yet it seemed only yesterday when Aer had taught me how to fly. 'Gentle, not too much now. You do like going fast, don't you?' he had whispered in my ear as we had sped across the dunes of Westersand. As I smoothly took the corners, Khaelim whistled. 'Now we knows why they called ya' tha' gales, don't we?' I smiled a very small smile. Draklor was ahead, and my heart was pulling me in two directions- Towards my memories and Aer, and towards Eyoh, the Hume child who was my sister. I realized with a pang of guilt that my soul longed me to continue flying, but I pulled alongside Draklor before the urge became too great.

Khaelim and I were the first through the doors, but already we were confronted by a squadron of ten men. I swore under my breath, and heard Khaelim do the same, as he readied his pole with one hand. The cab-driver must have alerted them somehow!

Risoon loaded her crossbow behind me, as Khaelim tentatively swung his weapon with his good hand, testing to see if he could fight with it. The guards made the first move. Rushing forward as a formation with shield and spear, I had to jump high to dodge them. Whaul's spear and bolts from Risoon clanged loudly off armor as I landed in the middle of the group. Swiftly before they could attack me, I kicked one of the men out from the edge, opening their formation, while cracking another over the head with the pommel of my sword. 'Eyoh!' I cried out, waiting for a reply, anything. 'Gods, let her be okay' I whispered as I cut down another man. Khaelim let out a loud roar as he abandoned his pole, punching the guard next to him with his bare fist in the face of the man's helmet. The thinner metal buckled under the strength of the blow, and the Hume reeled away, clutching at his head. A mage reeled past me with a crossbow bolt sticking out of an eye socket- Risoon's aim at this range was nigh on legendary. 'Call the reinforcements! Don't let the thieves get through!' Another yelled out, before Whaul's spear found its mark in his throat. Thieves? Why in Ivalice were they calling us thieves?

I roughly grabbed hold of an imperial's chest plate, and thrust him up to the wall so forcefully that his helmet flew off. The man looked at me with wide, fearful eyes. He must have been only nineteen in Hume years. So young. I snarled, my face close to his. 'There is a little girl who was taken to this facility a few days ago. Where is she?' He reached for his sword, but I simply pummeled him harder into the wall. 'Where. Is. She?' I growled, and he whimpered. Pointing, he stammered, 'T-take the north c-c-corridor, u-up the elevator to the top level.' I narrowed my eyes. 'Why do they call us thieves?' I asked, taking the edge off my voice slightly. 'Y-you stole an i-i-important experiment from here a couple of months ag-g-go, the Doctor said it was invaluable t-to our Nethicite research…' He stuttered, his pupils mere pinpricks. I felt my anger flare. 'Idiot! That little girl is the one whom you have forced your unholy experiments on, you foul cretin! She is plagued by nightmares of this place! She cries out in her sleep, the mist swirls around her like a swarm, you should be trialed for child abuse, and worse!' I felt Echt growing over me, an unwelcome shadow. 'I didn't know, I didn't know, I'm sorry!' He screamed, as I raised my sword.

As I tried to bring it down, however, I was met with resistance. Whaul held it back with the shaft of his spear, preventing me from harming the man. I felt Echt's shadow draw away, and my anger was lost. I let the guard go, and he slid down the wall, breathing hard and clutching his chest. I turned away and walked down the corridor, before anyone could say anything. I rested my own hand over my heart. It was beating like a tribal drum.

No one spoke as we ran down the empty hall. No more guards came to attack us; I guessed they must have thought they had finished us off with the first batch. Fools. Ten men were not nearly enough to stop me, let alone the group of us. I rounded a corner, almost running into a large metal door. My breathing quickened as I pushed on it, slowly. Risoon, Whaul and Khaelim drew up behind me, Khaelim helping me to push. It opened. And I was met with the most horrible sight. 'Eyoh!' I screamed. The little girl looked up slightly. Her eyes were blurry, her breathing shallow. She was in a horrible condition, her grey-tipped hair matted and dirty. She was very weak, and slouched in a corner of the large, white room. Khaelim and I rushed over, Whaul and Risoon taking up the rear. I grabbed her, and held her close to me. 'What have they done to you?' I asked her, in a hushed voice that trembled with both fear and anger. 'D-Djri…' she rasped, collapsing in my arms. I felt a tear slide down my cheek, 'Oh my poor, poor child, it is okay, your sister is here' I said, as I stroked her hair. 'Eyoh... Oh lass, what 'ave those bastards done?' Khaelim said, as he crouched next to us. Risoon caught her breath as she saw Eyoh up close, and I heard Whaul let out an exclaimed sound. I allowed Eyoh to rest in my arms, I did not try to move her. 'Oh child, what did they do?'

Eyoh coughed weakly. 'They made me do things…Needles and running… And Nethicite…' she whispered, her eyelids fluttering. 'They'll be back soon…' I let her lie down, and she went to sleep in my lap. 'The child has been through much…' My ears perked up. A voice that sounded like a thousand voices. 'Halen!' I exclaimed. The curious thing that stayed around Eyoh, that made the mist swirl so. Risoon gasped, and Khaelim grunted in alarm. 'What is that!?' Whaul asked, and I turned around. A tall creature floated in the air behind us, the mist was visible, swirling around it. It had no arms, or legs, but seemed to be made of metal, intricately woven, with dark patches here and there, and two ominous yellow eyes that glowed in the shadows. 'Halen…' I breathed once more. The creature responded to its name. 'Do you know what I am, mortals?' it asked, its voice resounding around the room. 'Nay, pray tell us' Risoon said, her hand on her crossbow. Halen turned to her. 'I am an Occuria' it said, as Risoon gasped in surprise. 'No…' I murmured. This creature that had been following Eyoh…Was a God.

'I had heard…Rumors. That the Occuria had dictated Ivalice's history before the age of Man. I heard that recently, a few years ago in fact, Occuria had once again been involved in the shaping Ivalice for a last time' Risoon spoke to the being, which seemed to listen patiently. 'And that the reason the Queen Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca has ascended to the throne was due to these events. But that is all they were…' She cast her eyes down. 'Rumors.'

As a Viera, I knew of the existence of celestial beings, the ones said to dwell in Giruvegan, the ancient city of Fey. But to see one before me was more than enlightening. Actually, I was furious. 'You watched over Eyoh' I said evenly, 'But you did nothing to stop these horrors done to the child?' Khaelim narrowed his eyes and growled. 'I agree. A bein' with immense power, an' you do nothin' ter stop an innocent-' 'This child's destiny was meant to be!' the Occuria roared, with all its voices tumbling over each other, a waterfall of anger. 'Insolent creatures. Do you not see the miracles of the Nethicite?' Halen hovered over me, menacing, the mist swirling, heated. I began to feel the fevers of mist-rage lingering. 'This child is the answer to the problems of the Hume-world. She is a miracle. She shall be a god-queen that rules by our will. The ultimate tool with which to shape the universe!' Too shocked to say anything, we could only listen to Halen's roar. Then there was a shout from the doorway as a troop, nay, a battalion of soldiers rushed towards the door. Then, with an almighty crash, the doors slammed, closing the room in an aura of white, and I could hear nothing of the outside. Halen's yellow eyes seemed to fill the blank space, the darkness closing in. As it began to speak, I felt Eyoh's body move, rise from where she rested; 'The Manufactured Nethicite created by Humes is nearly as powerful as true Nethicite, that which was destroyed by your pathetic Queen. It attracts the mist in extreme levels, allows its use by mortal body.' I reached out to Eyoh, grabbed her hand. She looked at me through half-closed eyes, her hair billowing around her face. The markings about her eyes swirled, arrange, red and yellow. 'Djri…What's happening…?' she whispered, as she rose. Then I was blown backwards by an impossibly strong force. I hit the wall, and fell down it, landing on my knees, coughing blood. 'You cannot change her destiny! The child will live for the cause! The ultimate sacrifice for the prosperity of the existence of Beings! She was crafted for this reason, the Nethicite grafted into the marrow of her very bones! Ultimate power, control of the mist, unlimited strength!'

It was then that I noticed the other Hume. He stood beneath Halen, swathed in his shadow. The same dark-haired doctor from before, who had seen Khaelim! As I wiped the gore away from my mouth, I saw him raise his arms and speak with Halen, his voice added to the thousands that swirled in its melody of pitches. 'Using this Hume, a girl with natural abilities to channel mist, we have created the final piece on the board! Our creation, this Hume child, Known by name of Eyoh!'

'Final Piece?!' Whaul yelled, 'You steal her life for your games!?' I had never heard Whaul speak so loud. There was a muffled boom from the door as the soldier's on the other side began to ram their way through.

Eyoh now hovered in the air in front of Halen. Her white-grey hair glowed with radiance, her body seemed to emanate mist from it, swirling, powerful. The marks around her eyes spread from her face, like fires from an infernal machine. 'Djri! Mister Khaelim! What's happening to me!?!?' The fear in her voice clawed scars on my heart. Halen spoke once more, as the Archadians broke the doors and flowed into the room, spears flying. 'This is the fate of Ivalice! You shall not interfere!' with that, the doctor collapsed to the ground as Halen relinquished its clasp on the man's body. He was immediately trampled by the soldiers, pummeled mercilessly by the Humes whose primary target was now the small Hume-girl in the centre of the room. The little girl that was being possessed by a horrible monster. As Halen took over her body, an explosion of mist shook Draklor. I screamed, the mist was too great, it overwhelmed my senses. Burning! It was burning me!

And when I finally opened my eyes, after the mist subsided…All that I could see was sky. We had been at the top of Draklor. Now the top of Draklor barely existed. I knelt at the edge of a bare platform, the walls completely leveled by the blast. I saw Risoon and Whaul lying on the ground a few metres away. Whaul was thrown protectively over Risoon, to protect her. They were covered by debris, and Whaul had a scar across his forehead and cheek that gushed blood. Khaelim, I realized, had grabbed me, and held me on the building as the explosion rang out. I could hear sirens, and saw that the number of guards had been leveled as well; barely half were left, most must have been cast from the rooftop.

And in the centre of it all- Eyoh. Her skirts and hair flowed in the wind, and for a second she almost looked peaceful, staring at the sky. And then she turned, and Khaelim and I gasped in unison. The mist was visible, it flowed from her like it had from the Giruveganus. The veins around her eyes and her hands stuck out, but more than anything I could feel Halen's presence within her. I rose to my feet as she opened her eyes. They were a fearsome orange. 'Sister! Can you hear me?' I yelled to her, and when she turned to me, I felt Halen move her, not Eyoh herself. Tears flowed from the child's eyes.

Then, a transformation took place. Debris lifted from the roof, metal and stone melded itself around her, an unholy whirlwind. An Archadian soldier ran at her, and was immediately blown away. 'Do not interfere… Pathetic Hume!' It spoke from Eyoh's mouth, but it was not her. 'Focus your attacks on these who stand before you…' I realized it referred to us, Risoon and Whaul having gotten up. Risoon was healing Whaul's wound, but a pale pink scar still showed across his skin. 'Wha-?' Khaelim exclaimed, as the soldiers charged towards us. Then he raised his fists to fight, as Whaul and Risoon did the same. But mine eyes were fixed on Eyoh. The metal had melded itself around one of her arms, turning it into a wicked blade. Half her face was the terrible figure of Halen, sporting one of the beings eyes, and her shoulder sported more armor and a second, yellow eye. And from her back had grown six wings of metal, that which she did not use to fly, but oozed mist all the same. 'No…' I whispered. I could not fight her… 'Djri!' Risoon called out, as an Archadian soldier slashed at me. I felt his spear tip slash across one of my arms, and felt that arm no more. I drew my sword awkwardly as I screeched in pain. My limb was badly injured, blood pouring from it in a torrent. Knowing no healing spells, all I could do was sear it with a Fira spell to stop the bleeding. I could hear Eyoh cry out as she saw this, but she did naught but float towards me, bound by Halen's will. I felt, as my control disappeared to the pain, Echt flow from my shadow. Then, I realized that it had completely drawn away. The Halen-Eyoh drew closer, as Echt and I slashed in a fury, driving back any Archadians near us, trying not to be overwhelmed. I did not fear Echt anymore. I understood what he was. My esper, a creature drawn to me by the mist within me as Halen was drawn to Eyoh. A creature that had found me in Nabudis, a creature whom had confused Jote's senses and had terrible power. And if I did not fear him, he would fight for me! 'Rrrraaaagh!' I screamed, as our swords cut down enemies. And for the first time in a battle, my mind was not in Nabudis. It was not with Aer. It was here. It was with my sister. I knew what I would have to do.

'Fight!' Halen commanded me, as it swept aside all those who were in the space between us. I saw Khaelim fly back, but gain his balance in time to prevent himself from falling. I glanced over at him, but he saw me. 'This is for you to fight!' He yelled to me. Risoon spoke next, 'She listens to you! She is your –aaargh' as she kicked a helmet, 'chance to free her!' and Whaul- 'Do it. You're the only one who can. Free her! We'll handle the rest of these men!'

I felt my heart jerk, as I almost cried again. My comrades…My friends. 'Thank you…' I whispered. Then I yelled, 'AYE!'

And, sword out and Echt behind me, I charged to free my sister.

Echt took the first attack. Its two swords crossed above it, it caught Eyoh's blade across them, high above me. I slashed at the metal of one of Eyoh's wings- I had to find out how to stop Halen. But I quickly realized that this caused Eyoh pain. She looked at me, my face close to hers, fear in her eyes. She didn't want to do this, but before she realized her other arm punched me in the gut. I doubled over, felt Echt roar and attack. Eyoh fended off its attacks easily, dancing and weaving to and fro. I recovered as fast as I could, and had to tackle Eyoh out of the way as Echt swung its long sword at her head. 'Do not attack!' I commanded it, 'quickly, Protectra!' I felt the protective spell settle over me, a shield which I could feel but not see. I had not, however, counted on Eyoh's control of Magicks. 'Thundaga!' I heard Halen command, as the magic fell from Eyoh's lips in a torrent of chanting. Before she could stop herself, I felt the electricity hit both me and Echt. It coursed through me, and before I was aware of the pain I was twitching on the ground. Echt roared. Why do we hold back? They are not one being… I heard its sinister voice say in my mind. I tried to stop twitching, getting up awkwardly, shakily and watching as Echt blocked another attack from Eyoh. 'Not one…' Eyoh was an amalgamation? A golem?

Strike at the source. Free the child…aaaargh! I heard Echt scream, and then suddenly, I saw Eyoh's sword rend its serpentine body in two. Eyoh was wide and wild eyed, the energy from the mist and the Nethicite driving her into a frenzy. Slowly, I felt Echt's consciousness ebb from my mind, and it was no more. I felt freed. I felt lighter. But I also felt the mist. It was worse now, much worse than before. Had Echt somehow been a magnet, drawing the mist from my senses? Whatever the answer, I now felt the Mist-madness descending upon my mind. 'Eyoh! Aer!' I screamed, trying to hold onto my sanity. The mist Eyoh-Halen was generating was confusing my brain, the powerful magical source streaming forth from-

Wait. In my mind I had one confused thought. I could tell where the mist was issuing from, a point above Eyoh's head in the centre of her two uppermost wings. Was Halen's true consciousness hiding there? How would I strike it? I held my head, slashing madly with my one arm to fend off attacks. I would never get close enough unscathed. Never get near unscathed…

'May the gods aid me, for what I am about to do there is no return from…' I murmured, calming my mind as well as I could, shielding my senses from the mist. I stopped defending, and rushed forward, for the final blow.

'D-Djri?' I heard Eyoh whisper in my left ear. My sword was stretched high above me. I heard Halen screaming, his consciousness disappearing, turning back into the essence of the mist it had been formed from. The clouded madness lifted from my mind. I breathed out raggedly, my thoughts peaceful and uninterrupted. I heard the metal begin to very slowly fall away from Eyoh's back, felt her shift as she touched back to the earth. Then I heard Risoon, Khaelim, and Whaul yelling, their footsteps pounding the rooftop. The fighting had stopped. The Archadian soldiers were lowering their weapons all around. I raised my head and smiled at Eyoh, blood issuing from the corner of my mouth, its coppery taste dull to my brain. A single tear slid down Eyoh's cheek. 'Big sister… What have you done?' I calmly stared down at the long metal sword that pierced my chest. Then I raised my eyes and looked at her again. 'The only thing I could, little one' I whispered hoarsely, coughing. The metal parted from Eyoh's arm and I fell, landing on my back. The roof seemed soft, though it was a hard stone. I saw Risoon hold her hand to her mouth out the corner of my eye. Whaul looked shocked, and Khaelim's chiseled Bangaa expression was soft. Eyoh knelt over me, tears in her eyes. Strangely, I did not feel unhappy at all. I wiped a drop from her cheek. 'It is okay…' I said, but she shook her head furiously. 'It's not okay! It is not! You can't die Djri!' she sobbed, and tried to chant a healing spell. I continued to smile, and reached up to move a lock of dirtied hair from her beautiful blue eyes. 'It is my time.' I told her, stopping her magic. 'This cannot be undone; it is the way of things. I understand now' I understood. We must all move on, I knew. 'Djri…' Khaelim exclaimed quietly, his eyes, for the first time, wet. Risoon kissed Whaul softly on the mouth, making me smile for them, and looked at me with solemn, emerald eyes. Whaul walked to us and put his hand on Eyoh's shoulder, but the Hume continued to weep. I turned to my comrades. 'Look after her, for me.' I said, and turned back to Eyoh. 'Hush now, sister, Eyoh Sky-sought. Do not mourn for me. We shall…meet again…in another place …'

The world was turning black at the edges. I saw Eyoh sniff, and nod, saw Whaul say something to her that I could no longer hear. I breathed out, not feeling the air fizzle from a collapsed lung, nor sense it pass my lips. I looked up to the sky. That beautiful, blue sky. I felt it call to me, call my slowing heart. I looked up into that heavenly sea, and for a final time, breathed out one last word, or perhaps, imagined it.

'Aer.'