A/N: Happy Easter, everyone. Thank you kindly for reading my drabbles.
Balthier had been able to tease the switchboard into function. We followed behind, and Fran walked at Balthier's side, into the dimly lit tunnels.
I hardly noticed the light's flickering, but it was difficult not to notice when they shut off entirely.
"H-hey!"
"Hush! Captain, say something," Balthier's words cut through the dark like a beacon of light.
"I'm here," came his low, quiet voice.
"Stick close to him, boy. He doesn't have a weapon. And I have a feeling--" a low grunt, followed by the sound of feet dragging on dust and muffled moans. "--that things are about to get difficult," Balthier finished grimly.
"The mist..." Fran trailed off, words replaced by the clang of metal on bone.
I didn't want to protect him-- I didn't want to be near him.
"Keep close," he said, grunting as he swatted at something in the darkness.
"It's kind of dark," I snapped, unsheathing my sword.
He began to hum. A quiet tune that I couldn't recognize, but it gave me some notion as to where he was. I reached out, moving towards the song until my hand touched his dry skin. For a moment, I entertained the idea of simply thrusting my sword through him, of ending it right there.
I killed the monsters in the dark instead.